WOMAN, WAR, AND SUFFERING: UZBEK WOMEN ON THE HOME FRONT DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR

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Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the social, economic, and cultural activities of women in Uzbekistan during the years of the Second World War. Under the difficult conditions of wartime, women took an active part in agriculture, industry, education, culture, and various other areas of public life. The study examines not only their economic contribution to the country’s development but also the emotional and psychological challenges they faced in everyday life. Special attention is paid to the image of the “selfless woman” created and promoted within Soviet ideology, where women’s endurance, bravery, and resilience were emphasized through official propaganda.

The research is based on archival documents, periodical press materials, and memoir sources. Drawing on these data, the article highlights the difficult fate of women during wartime, their struggle with everyday hardships, and the transformation of traditional gender roles in the context of war. By applying comparative-historical and analytical methods, the study seeks to provide a fuller picture of women’s participation in the socio-economic and cultural life of the country. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of gender history and emphasizes the significance of Uzbek women’s role during the war years as an essential element of the historical memory of the nation.