The Sad Fate Of The Women Of Turkistan: About The “Hujum” Movement And Its Impacts On Agriculture

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the "Hujum" ("Attack") campaign initiated by the Soviet authorities in Central Asia, specifically its profound impact on Uzbek society and the lives of women during the 1920s and 1930s. The study examines the Soviet efforts to alter the traditional lifestyle and social roles of Uzbek women by forcibly liberating them from the burqa (paranji) and integrating them into the workforce, including roles in agriculture and mechanization typically reserved for men. Despite the Soviet regime's portrayal of these actions as steps towards modernization and equality, the campaign had severe and often tragic consequences. Many local women became innocent victims of this policy, suffering from social ostracism, family breakdowns, and even violence. This research underscores the complexities and unintended consequences of the Soviet "liberation" policies, revealing how these measures disrupted deeply ingrained cultural and religious practices, ultimately leading to significant societal upheaval.