Uzbekistan is embarking on a transformative journey to modernize its social protection system, aiming to ensure that every woman, worker, and family receives the support they need during critical moments of life. Currently, nearly 94 percent of pregnant women in the country lack access to maternity benefits, highlighting the urgent need for reform. The government is now reimagining maternity protection as both a vital safety net and a catalyst for gender equality, with the overhaul of the maternity cash benefit system at the heart of this effort. This reform is designed to safeguard women during pregnancy and childbirth while establishing a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable social insurance framework.
Central to this initiative is the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, a United Nations-led program that helps countries strengthen social protection systems while promoting decent work and inclusive growth. In Uzbekistan, the Global Accelerator is supporting the conceptualization of a new social insurance law that could transform how maternity, employment, and income security are managed nationwide.
Through a joint effort led by the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF, UNFPA, and the World Bank, a comprehensive feasibility study has explored options for a maternity insurance scheme that covers women in both formal and informal employment. These findings are guiding national partners in designing mechanisms that ensure equitable access to benefits while maintaining financial sustainability. The reform addresses long-standing barriers in the labor market. Under the current employer liability model, businesses bear the direct cost of maternity leave, a system that can inadvertently discourage the hiring of women of reproductive age. Transitioning to a shared social insurance model allows Uzbekistan to reduce gender bias, promote fair employment practices, and extend protection to women in vulnerable jobs, from small enterprises to informal work.
“Successful reforms are built on constructive social dialogue,” said Sabine Machl, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan. “Bringing workers, employers, and civil society together ensures that no one is left behind as the country strengthens its social protection system.”
The Global Accelerator brings together UN agencies and the World Bank to provide technical expertise to national institutions, including the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction, the National Agency for Social Protection, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Extra-Budgetary Pension Fund. Representatives from the Federation of Trade Unions, the Confederation of Employers, and the Association of Employers of Uzbekistan also participate, helping align employment, finance, and social policies into a coherent national strategy.
Since joining the Global Accelerator in 2023, Uzbekistan has committed to a long-term vision of universal social protection that empowers women, supports families, and strengthens resilience against poverty and economic shocks. The maternity cash benefit reform marks the beginning of a broader transformation to ensure that every citizen, regardless of employment type or background, can rely on support throughout life’s challenges. By investing in maternity protection today, Uzbekistan is not only protecting women and families but also investing in the wellbeing and resilience of future generations, building a fairer and more inclusive society for all.
