STRUGGLES FOR RECOGNITION IN GENDER IDENTITY DEBATES IN UZBEKISTAN: A COMPARATIVE FRAMEWORK BASED ON HEGEL, HONNETH, AND FRASER

Abstract

Struggles surrounding gender identity have become increasingly central within contemporary political and social theory, particularly in debates concerning recognition, dignity, and inclusion. In Uzbekistan, public discourse on gender identity remains limited and highly constrained, yet processes of recognition and misrecognition profoundly shape the everyday experiences of gender-diverse individuals. This article develops a comparative theoretical framework informed by the recognition theories of Hegel, Honneth, and Fraser in order to examine how cultural norms, legal structures, and socioeconomic conditions structure the possibilities for identity formation and social participation in the Uzbek context. Drawing on political philosophy, socio-legal analysis, and empirical reports from international human rights organizations, the study argues that gender-diverse individuals in Uzbekistan face intertwined forms of misrecognition—emotional, symbolic, legal, and structural—that restrict access to dignity, rights, and participatory parity. By applying recognition theory to an under-researched post-Soviet society, this article contributes a novel analytical perspective on gender identity struggles in Central Asia and highlights the urgent need for both institutional reform and cultural transformation.