Gender inequality and educational aspirations of women from ethnic communities: the case of tajik women from the Turkestan region

Gender inequality in education and professional development remains a pressing issue in modern society, especially among ethnic communities. This study analyzes the educational and career opportunities of Tajik women in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan. The aim of the study is to examine the influence of traditional, Soviet and Western discourses on gender roles, educational aspirations and professional opportunities of Tajik women. The methodology of the work is based on a qualitative approach, including narrative interviews and observations of the objects of study. The opinions of more than 16 respondents, represented by women of the Tajik ethnic group of different ages, levels of education and social status, were analyzed. The obtained qualitative data were processed using MAXQDA software. The main findings of the study show that Tajik women face limitations related to traditional gender roles and the specifics of their ethnocultural environment. Despite the desire to provide their children with an education, social and financial barriers remain serious obstacles. The influence of family expectations, cultural traditions and socio-economic conditions limits their professional and educational prospects. The work contributes to the study of gender inequality, demonstrating the complexity of the interaction of cultural discourses in the formation of women's social roles. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of understanding barriers in education and in the professional realization of Kazakhstani women in general, using the example of Tajik women and in the development of opportunities aimed at increasing the level of education and social status of women to implement gender equality in Kazakhstan. Key words: gender inequality, education, ethnic communities, career, Tajik ethnicity, women.