And it's not just the state media that promotes the idea of women as mere home-makers, the independent press are often just as bad. Men's natural quality is their strength while women's strength lies in their cunning. They are unable to command trust and people prefer to deal with men. It is precisely this natural cunning that bars them from becoming real leaders. These attitudes are not helped by Uzbekistan's poor socio-economic position.
Domestic abuse is also a major problem.
An estimated six out of ten women have suffered violence in the home, not just at the hands of husbands, but also other male members of the household. The same number suffers from anaemia and other widespread health problems. But all of these issues are avoided by the Uzbek press. 42 February 28 n a bid to force Kyrgyzstan to concede large tracts of border territory, Uzbekistan has played its trump card - the supply of natural gas. Last month, Uzbekistan cut off gas supplies to Kyrgyzstan's industrial heartland and the resulting energy crisis sparked off angry protests in the streets of Bishkek.