Paper long abstract:

This article highlights the role of governments in promoting women's leadership in Central Asian countries. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union the status of women in political and public life of the countries has significantly worsened. Through a comprehensive study of the current legislative frameworks, institutional structures and national gender policies, it examines the current status of women in politics in terms of ensuring women's equal access to and full participation in power structures, decision-making and leadership. By revealing barriers, challenges, and opportunities women leaders are facing in Central Asia the study explores the rationale underlying male dominance in decision-making positions in the patriarchal public sector. Drawing on the research conducted by scholars in the East and West it discusses and further theorizes the importance of achieving gender balance in leadership via public policies and institutional reforms that may improve people wellbeing, human rights, human development, economic growth, and facilitate democratizing Central Asian countries. The role of international conventions, declarations, platforms for action, in empowering women in leadership is emphasized. Through the national and international databases and qualitative comparative analysis of government-led initiatives, this text rethinks our understanding of gender equality and the circumstances that lead to success in public policy and social change. It is shown that although the national governments have shown efforts to ensure women's empowerment, the effectiveness of these measures is low. The article concludes with possible explanations for the observed women under-representation, policy implications for decision makers to ensure gender diversity in leadership, and directions for further research of the role that governments play in women leadership development.