Essay from Lolaxon Sodiqxonova

Young Central Asian woman in a black coat and suit standing in front of a Power Point illustration with text about her organization, Girls Hub.

Empowered Women Empower Women

Women’s empowerment is the process by which women become aware of gender-based unequal power relationships and acquire a greater voice in which to speak out against the inequality found in the home, workplace, and community. An empowered woman not only changes her life but also uplifts her family and contributes to society. Though millions of women worldwide are still denied education — a reality that limits not only their potential but also their societies. 

Today women empowerment plays a vital role in societies. From economic growth to social stability, the benefits of empowering women reverberate across every aspect of society. One of the most compelling reasons to empower women is its direct correlation with economic prosperity. When women are empowered with education, access to resources, opportunities, entire economies flourish. According to studies, investing women’s empowerment leads to increase in productivity and growth of a country.

Additionally, women’s empowerment is crucial for gender equality and discrimination. Despite the actions taken in this, still women around the world are facing barriers in education, violence, disdain and rights. Empowering women means challenging entrenched norms and stereotypes that perpetuate gender inequality. It involves creating inclusive policies, providing access to justice, and promoting women’s leadership at all levels of society. All in all, women empowerment takes the important part in all fields – healthcare, economics, education, industry.

Despite clear progress, numerous obstacles continue to restrict women’s equal access to education and empowerment.

Cultural expectations, early marriage, limited resources and gender stereotypes still restrict girls’ choices and ambition. To combat this, organisations such as Women In Tech and the PORLA project are enhancing women’s employability and promoting entrepreneurial skills across remote and traditionally underserved areas. Likewise, the establishment of the Entrepreneurial Women’s Council in March 2025 under the Chamber of Commerce and Industry aims to boost legal, financial and practical support for female entrepreneurs. 

On a personal level, as a high-school student I co-founded Girls Hub, which has supported over 50 Afghan girls and is now collaborating with Nigerian peers hoping that change begins with young women taking leadership in education and solidarity.

If we truly believe that empowered women empower others, then education is the gateway to transformation. From the classrooms of Uzbekistan to global networks connecting Afghan and Nigerian girls, every investment in a young woman’s learning creates exponential returns for families, communities and nations. My journey with Girls Hub, standing alongside students who face barriers and believing in their potential, reminds me that real change comes from shared purpose, courageous action and unrelenting hope. Let us commit to policies that dismantle stereotypes, resources that expand access, and mentorship that lifts every girl toward her fullest future. Because when a woman learns, we all grow.

I am Lolaxon Sodiqxonova, a 17-year-old senior at the Specialized Boarding School in Namangan, Uzbekistan. I am passionate about empowering women and have already taken several actions toward this goal. For example, I worked as the Head Ambassador of the PORLA project, which educates women and girls on AI tools and STEM, even providing opportunities for internships. This sparked my interest in women’s empowerment and encouraged me to co-found Girls Hub, a global platform mentoring young women on scholarships, languages, and some aspects of STEM. Today, Girls Hub has two international collaborations and more than 100 alumni. Moreover, I entered the world of start-ups with this project and became the winner of the Digital Generation Girls – Start-Ups Competition. My dedication to this field also led me to success in a prestigious international program—the Women2Women International Leadership Program, hosted by Emerson College and held at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

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