• The COVID-19 pandemic underscored and intensified the challenges of inequality in socioeconomic activities around the globe and brought them into sharper focus. Progress in fighting poverty has largely stalled. While, in many cases, the situation has worsened. Our paper examines the unequal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across four sectors: education, digital access, labor force participation, and the health service. The paper reveals inconsistencies based on gender, location, and income level before, during, and after the pandemic. Despite a lack of real-time data on COVID- induced inequalities, we examine qualitative data collected from the 25 different government sectors in Uzbekistan.
• Our paper reviews the evidence to make the case that adapting to a new situation and preparing for future challenges is an ongoing process across different sectors. Adopting inclusiveness and building resilience for future crises, especially those affecting people living in poverty, requires concerted, future-focused efforts.
• POST-COVID Inequality in Central Asia sponsored by the Central Asia Regional Cooperation (CAREC) Institute. In collaboration with the CAREC Institute, the Center for Policy Research and Outreach (CPRO) at Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) contributed to this initiative by conducting the Uzbekistan case study chapter. This chapter provides an in-depth analysis of the pandemic's impact on Uzbekistan, highlighting specific challenges, policy responses, and lessons learned to address inequalities and promote inclusive growth in the country.

For the full report please follow this link