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HISTORIOGRAPHY OF THE ESSENCE OF THE CONFLICTING POLICY OF THE SOVIET ERA
ON WOMEN'S ISSUES IN THE HISTORY OF UZBEKISTAN
Nilufar Djuraeva
Head of the Department of History of Uzbekistan, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor,
Uzbek State University of World Languages, Uzbekistan
Alok Kumar
Professor, PhD in Political Science, Delhi University, India
AB O U T ART I CL E
Key words:
Uzbekistan, state, society, women,
reforms,
Soviet
policy,
Soviet
Union,
historiography.
Received:
02.11.2024
Accepted
: 07.11.2024
Published
: 12.11.2024
Abstract:
In this article, it is emphasised that the
study of the treatment of women in the history of
Uzbekistan and the nature and evolution of the
women's movement, women's organisations and
the state of the women's movement in the present
period is of urgent importance from the point of
view of historiography. It is the comparative
analysis of the state policy regarding the
treatment of women during the period of the
former Soviet Union and the years of
independence that allows us to understand the
colonial nature of the Soviet policy fully. The
article analyses the historiography of the topic.
INTRODUCTION
O‘zbekiston tarixida sovet davridagi xotin
-qizlarga munosabat va ayollar harakati mohiyatini,
evolyusiyasini, xotin-qizlar tashkilotlari hamda hozirgi davrdagi ayollar harakati
holatini o‘rganish
tarixshunoslik nuqtai nazaridan dolzarb ahamiyat kasb etadi. Aynan sobiq Ittifoq davri va mustaqillik
yillaridagi xotin-qizlarga munosabat masalasidagi davlat siyosatining qiyosiy tahlili sovetlar
siyosatining mustamlakachilik mohiyatini
toʻla anglash imkonini beradi.
METHODS
In this article, the historiography of the essence of the conflicting policy on women's issues of the Soviet
era in the history of Uzbekistan was scientifically analyzed using the generally accepted research
methods of scientificity, objectivity, historicity, and comparative analysis.
RESULTS
It is appropriate to analyze the sources related to the researched topic by dividing them into the
following groups:
The first group: historical documents, archival data stored in the National Archives of Uzbekistan;
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Second group: works of activists of the women's movement;
The third group: includes periodical press materials.
In the first group, the Turkish Ministry of National Archives of the Republic of Uzbekistan (UzMA), the
Central Executive Committee of the Turkestan Soviet Autonomous Republic (fund R-17), the People's
Commissar of Education of the Turkestan Soviet Autonomous Republic (fund R-34 ), the Central
Executive Committee of the UzSSR (R-86 fund), the People's Commissar of Education of the UzSSR (R-
94 fund), the Council of the Trade Union Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan (R-737 -fund)
documents stored in the funds were studied.
In the second group, the articles and pamphlets of the activists of the women's movement on the issue
of expanding the participation of local women in society, "liberating" them, and involving them in social
development were scientifically analyzed. In these sources, the involvement of local women in socio-
political, economic and cultural life is highlighted from a one-sided, classist point of view and served
the political goals of the Soviet government. Later, the leaders of the national people were also involved
in the issues related to the research of this problem. In their articles and lectures, the Soviet
government's policy towards women was positively evaluated, and the national, religious and
traditional values that were formed over the centuries and became their lifestyle and spiritual image,
characteristic of Uzbek women, were condemned as "superstitions". was humiliated because it was
against the interests of the communist ideology.
In particular, a responsible party worker who was forced to serve the interests of the monopolistic
communist ideology of the Soviet one-man power, worked with the times, sometimes had to take the
path of compromise and capitulation, and worked without departing from the line drawn by the center.
, that is, in the work of A. Ikramov, the first secretary of the Central Committee of the UzKP, entitled
"The issue of women in Uzbekistan", we read the following words: "Women should strive to join the
ranks of the party. They completely destroy the old, rotten life, create new conditions for themselves,
introduce new customs into life, the Communist Party is calling us to do this, the question of throwing
off the veil is the beginning of a huge, long and difficult task. , only". At the same time, on October 7,
1927, Akmal Ikramov gave a speech at the meeting of All-Uzbek women's workers and expressed the
following thoughts about the "successes" during the "Attack" movement: in March-May 1927, 100,000
women threw off their veils. 200 family circles were formed. There are 120 schools for the completion
of illiteracy, which include 5 thousand women. 5,202 women, i.e. 24.8 percent of people's
representatives, took part in the re-election of people's representatives[1].
And about the fact that these numbers were obtained by methods of intimidation, intimidation,
punishment, oppression without considering the socio-spiritual condition of the people, religious-
spiritual factors, and caused many victims. nothing is said. A. Ikramov also criticizes the reliance of some
party and government representatives on the clergy during the "Attack" period, saying that "our army
is mainly made up of soldiers, the poor, and the middle class." At the same time, many people do not
understand that the "Attack" movement is a long-term process, that it is necessary to carry it out
gradually on the basis of a plan. states that it consists of "administrative-command" [2]. Because the sad
outcome of the movement that started with campaigning and continued with administrative-
commanding was evidenced by this.
Another national figure, F. Khojayev, at the Second Congress of the Soviets of the Republic held on March
30, 1927, accused the religious people of attacking "Soviet culture" and called the struggle for culture
the struggle for women's freedom. At the same time, women's freedom is of "significant economic
importance", "women's full use of production opportunities is hindered by their closedness, illiteracy,
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and the fact that their limbs are tied to religious traditions due to household customs. "is taking place"
and criticizes their "almost no participation in the construction of a socialist state"[3]. As you can see,
F. Khojayev also expressed an opinion in line with the times. Although not in practice, he was
ideologically sympathetic to the "Group of 18", which was opposed to the colonial policy based on
"socialist experiments" conducted by the Soviets with administrative-command methods. This group,
which includes 18 responsible party and Soviet officials, hastily allowed the release of Uzbek women,
administrative harassment, threats and fines. and with the help of the police, he opposed the cases of
bringing women to meetings by force. They suggested taking into account the specific aspects of the
country in the course of the reforms being carried out in the republic. However, they were opposed by
a large group of communists and became victims of the Soviet policy of repression as "enemies of the
people".
The periodical press, which is considered as the third group of sources, also analyzed the articles in
magazines and newspapers containing information on the topic. In particular, in the articles published
in the Soviet press in the early 1920s and 1930s of Soviet power, "Kommunistka" [4], "Rabotnitsa" [5],
Vestnik Kommunisticheskoy Akademii [6], "Novyy Vostok" [7], "New Way" ”[8] covers legislative
activities on women's issues, activities of women's departments, increasing social activity of women,
problems of women's education, issues of training female specialists[9].
They include S. Lyubimova, who was the head of the women's department of the Turkestan KP MQ in
1923-1926, one of the first organizers of the women's movement in the region, All-Union Bolsheviks KP
MQ, E. Ross, E. Rachinskaya, J. Abidova, T. Shadieva, S. Khaldarova, Kh. Tillakhonova, M. Shamansurova,
Kh. Tojieva, T. Rustambekova, D. Kho'jaeva, B. Jalolova, S. Burnasheva and others in the party's work
towards the "liberation" of women, articles about the importance of attracting women to artels, schools,
and clubs and removing the burqa of thousands of women [10] were published. Also, since the main
topic of these magazines is the fight against the burqa, one of the important tasks of "liberating women",
even "Against Burqa and Chachvan" in "Pravda Vostoka" newspaper, and "From the courtroom" in
"Yangi Yol" magazine. a separate column was established and propaganda was carried out through
various articles. In particular, S. Kholdorova's way to strengthen the slogan "Attack" [11], J. Obidova's
"Five-year struggle and liberation of working women" [12] are among them.
Also, it was published in 2017 based on the research of Zaynab Muhammad-Dost[13], and is kept in the
library archive of Dr. Michael James Erdman, curator of the Turkish and Turkic language collections of
the British Library, considered a monthly publication for women and girls in Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan
Four issues of the "New Way" magazine, published by the Central Committee of the Communist Party,
published in 1927 in the old Persian-Arabic script (volume 1, issues 11-12 and v The periodical press,
which is considered as the third group of sources, also analyzed the articles in magazines and
newspapers containing information on the The periodical press, which is considered as the third group
of sources, also analyzed the articles in magazines and newspapers containing information on the topic.
In particular, in the articles published in the Soviet press in the early 1920s and 1930s of Soviet power,
"Kommunistka" [4], "Rabotnitsa" [5], Vestnik Kommunisticheskoy Akademii [6], "Novyy Vostok" [7],
"New Way" ”[8] covers legislative activities on women's issues, activities of w
omen's departments,
increasing social activity of women, problems of women's education, issues of training female
specialists[9].
They include S. Lyubimova, who was the head of the women's department of the Turkestan KP MQ in
1923-1926, one of the first organizers of the women's movement in the region, All-Union Bolsheviks KP
MQ, E. Ross, E. Rachinskaya, J. Abidova, T. Shadieva, S. Khaldarova, Kh. Tillakhonova, M. Shamansurova,
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Kh. Tojieva, T. Rustambekova, D. Kho'jaeva, B. Jalolova, S. Burnasheva and others in the party's work
towards the "liberation" of women, articles about the importance of attracting women to artels, schools,
and clubs and removing the burqa of thousands of women [10] were published. Also, since the main
topic of these magazines is the fight against the burqa, one of the important tasks of "liberating women",
even "Against Burqa and Chachvan" in "Pravda Vostoka" newspaper, and "From the courtroom" in
"Yangi Yol" magazine. a separate column was established and propaganda was carried out through
various articles. In particular, S. Kholdorova's way to strengthen the slogan "Attack" [11], J. Obidova's
"Five-year struggle and liberation of working women" [12] are among them.
Also, it was published in 2017 based on the research of Zaynab Muhammad-Dost[13], and is kept in the
library archive of Dr. Michael James Erdman, curator of the Turkish and Turkic language collections of
the British Library, considered a monthly publication for women and girls in Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan
Four issues of the "New Way" magazine, published by the Central Committee of the Communist Party,
published in 1927 in the old Persian-Arabic script (volume 1, issues 11-12 and volume 2, issues 13-16,
4-7 and 9 )[14] and the content of the photographs also provide information about the new Soviet way
of life promoted among women[15].topic. In particular, in the articles published in the Soviet press in
the early 1920s and 1930s of Soviet power, "Kommunistka" [4], "Rabotnitsa" [5], Vestnik
Kommunisticheskoy Akademii [6], "Novyy
Vostok" [7], "New Way" ”[8] covers legislative activities on
women's issues, activities of women's departments, increasing social activity of women, problems of
women's education, issues of training female specialists[9].
They include S. Lyubimova, who was the head of the women's department of the Turkestan KP MQ in
1923-1926, one of the first organizers of the women's movement in the region, All-Union Bolsheviks KP
MQ, E. Ross, E. Rachinskaya, J. Abidova, T. Shadieva, S. Khaldarova, Kh. Tillakhonova, M. Shamansurova,
Kh. Tojieva, T. Rustambekova, D. Kho'jaeva, B. Jalolova, S. Burnasheva and others in the party's work
towards the "liberation" of women, articles about the importance of attracting women to artels, schools,
and clubs and removing the burqa of thousands of women [10] were published. Also, since the main
topic of these magazines is the fight against the burqa, one of the important tasks of "liberating women",
even "Against Burqa and Chachvan" in "Pravda Vostoka" newspaper, and "From the courtroom" in
"Yangi Yol" magazine. a separate column was established and propaganda was carried out through
various articles. In particular, S. Kholdorova's way to strengthen the slogan "Attack" [11], J. Obidova's
"Five-year struggle and liberation of working women" [12] are among them.
Also, it was published in 2017 based on the research of Zaynab Muhammad-Dost[13], and is kept in the
library archive of Dr. Michael James Erdman, curator of the Turkish and Turkic language collections of
the British Library, considered a monthly publication for women and girls in Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan
Four issues of the "New Way" magazine, published by the Central Committee of the Communist Party,
published in 1927 in the old Persian-Arabic script (volume 1, issues 11-12 and volume 2, issues 13-16,
4-7 and 9 )[14] and the content of the photographs also provide information about the new Soviet way
of life promoted among women[15].olume 2, issues 13-16, 4-7 and 9 )[14] and the content of the
photographs also provide information about the new Soviet way of life promoted among women[15].
The author writes: "Although the magazine was not used to inform women and girls about pedagogical
innovations, it was intended to expand their worldview far beyond the traditional domestic sphere. The
magazine featured articles about European women participating in unfeminine occupations, with
photographs of smiling, bare-faced and bare-headed women operating machinery and doing formerly
male-dominated jobs such as machine tooling, barrel lifting, and bricklaying. women engaged in this
type are described" [16].
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At the same time, Uzbek working women are presented in a special way. That is, "picture 15 shows a
group of middle-aged Uzbek silk-weaving women, all but one of them had a headscarf, but none of them
was using a machine," the researcher wrote.
In another picture, according to M. Erdman, young graduates in modern clothes are watching a scientific
experiment, reflecting the spirit of hope for the future. The author writes about "expectations" because
"the realities of Central Asian women were, of course, not as bright and progressive as Moscow and
local Communist Party cadres put forward" [17].
It can be seen from the materials of the British Library that although the articles of the magazine "New
Way" mainly promoted the Soviet policy on women's issues, they also contained educational materials
aimed at expanding the worldview and knowledge of women. Also, although the articles embellished
the truth, one can also see the desire to confirm the equality of women [18].
As a result of the "Attack" movement, the first female journalists emerged among local women. They
are H. Muhamedova [19], R. Nosirova, R. Nazirova, Z. Ormonova and others [20]. In those years, one of
the important links of cultural and educational work was the press. In 1922, pamphlets titled "Why did
you become a communist?" and "Living artistic words of Turkestan workers" were published in Uzbek.
The newspaper "New Way" began to be published, and in 1926 a monthly magazine was established
under this name. The responsible editor of the magazine was S. Kholdorova[21]. Several other women
were constantly busy in newspaper and magazine work. These are T. Murabova, N. Muslimova, sisters
S. and Kh. Rahimova, etc. The literary section of the newspaper was led by M. Sobirova (Aydin), M.
Allaviya and Kh. Tillakhonova [22].
However, by 1930, on the grounds that the "women's issue" had been resolved, and the activities of the
women's sections were terminated by the decision of the Central Committee of the VKP(b) on January
5[23], "Communistka" was published in 1930 and "New Way" in 1934. ” magazine was stopped. In the
decision, it was noted that the tasks of the women's departments were transferred to the faction
committee and its departments, and it was turned into a special sector[24]. Sectors are entrusted with
the task of scientifically and practically strengthening the conclusion that the Soviet government and
the Communist Party have "solved the women's issue". The responsibility for overall measures among
women was transferred to the Commissions for the Improvement of Work and Life. There are more
than 100 members of the commission from across the country, and they are far from being able to carry
out the large amount of work entrusted to the commission. Therefore, in May 1930, the commissions
were transformed into committees functioning as part of the union republican, regional, city and local
executive committees, and in 1932 they were terminated as a div that had completed its task[26].
In fact, the reason for this process is the involvement of women in social production under the slogan
of "economic liberation" by the Soviet authorities and the Communist Party, and by using their labor as
cheap labor, turning it into the main productive force of society, achieving its goal, and socio-political It
was in the growing dissatisfaction of the women, who were increasingly active, fighting for their rights,
and the policy of the authoritarian regime towards them.
In general, the Soviet government and the Communist Party, using all forms and methods of the
administrative-command system, tried to attract local women to the socio-political front, fill the ranks
of the party from them, and achieve their supporters in the construction of the "new socialist society".
As a result, the socio-political consciousness and activity of Uzbek women increased to a certain extent.
An attempt was made to artificially spread the feelings of patriotism and nationalism inherent in the
nature of Uzbek women to the territory called the Union, and the policy aimed at not forming their
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political and legal consciousness is necessary for realizing the national identity and fighting for
independence. ma did not allow the awakening of needs.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, it should be said that the activation of women in social life in the period under study faced
various difficulties and obstacles, it can be described as follows:
• the experience of women employed in production, their lack of profe
ssional qualifications, as a result
of which they are paid low wages and forced to engage in manual labor;
• that women's work has not decreased even in the family economy;
• preserving the responsibility of boys and girls who are growing up in the family,
that is, the attitude
of girls towards women, they should be more obedient, bring them up in the spirit of forced
performance of all household chores;
• the vitality of centuries
-old traditions of oppression in the minds of men;
• setting the main goal of
involving women in social production, while neglecting social issues;
• despite the adoption of many decisions and laws on motherhood and childhood protection, there is
inconsistency in their practical application;
• it became clear that the problems in t
he social sphere were solved not only in connection with the
direct demands of life, but mainly by administrative and command methods.
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This commission was established on September 20, 1926 by the decision of the Presidium of the
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