USSR Policy on Communist Education and Promotion of Women of the East to Leadership Positions: Exemplified by the Uzbek SSR

The author analyzes the reforms implemented by the Communist Party of the Uzbek SSR through its propaganda and political education departments to increase women’s socio-political activity. They consider the process of training female cadres for leadership positions. The author also examines: the easing of conditions for women’s admission to the party, the opening of special cultural centers and propaganda schools for them, the introduction of communist ideology into families through women, the use of cinema for propaganda purposes among women, and their inclusion in the nomenklatura list. From the first days of the Soviet state, mass events were held to widely involve Uzbek women in: socio-political life, communist ideology, atheistic education, and the promotion of the new culture. At various meetings, congresses, plenary sessions, and sessions of party cells held by party leaders at all levels, in addition to efforts to involve women in party life, there was an effort to eradicate illiteracy. The younger generation was also inspired by Soviet ideology. By inculcating the “attractive” Soviet ideology, party representatives aimed to cultivate the younger generation, including women, as loyal citizens of the Soviet state. To this end, party officials sought to involve women more widely in community service, political readings, and production. Clubs, kindergartens, “red corners” and their branches were established, which offered tailoring training and medical care to children and mothers, as well as consultation centers, cooking houses, laundries, etc. Books and magazines published for women, films, and theatrical productions also played a significant role in promoting women. The author concludes this effort was actively carried out through communist propaganda, as well as the processes such as the introduction of new holidays and rituals, numerous lectures on political and ideological issues for women, and their broad involvement in the active life of the country and the activities of the Communist Party of the Uzbek SSR, especially during the Great Patriotic War.