“I belong in engineering” - the story of Zarnigor Abdullayeva

Today, Zarnigor is an Associate Construction Management Engineer with UNOPS, a mother of three, and a strong advocate for education in her community. Yet reaching this point was not always easy. It took years of hard work, determination, and overcoming stereotypes in a profession where women are still underrepresented.

Growing up in Kashkadarya region, Zarnigor developed an early interest in STEM subjects. She excelled in school, won mathematics Olympiads, and eventually earned a scholarship to study at Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent.

"I was the first woman in several generations of my family to receive a higher education," she says. “And it opened opportunities that many women before me did not have."

After graduating, Zarnigor began working in the construction sector. While she was passionate about engineering, she found herself having to prove that she belonged in the profession.

Throughout her career, she often faced stereotypes about what women could or could not do. Comments, expectations, and assumptions about her abilities were common - all about women’s role in technical professions. 

"There were many moments when I felt I was not taken seriously," she recalls. "People would compare me to others, question my decisions, or assume that certain tasks were not for women”.

Rather than letting these experiences discourage her, Zarnigor focused on building her skills and gaining experience. Over time, she established herself in the profession.

Today, Zarnigor brings that experience to her role with UNOPS, where she works in construction management and site supervision. Her achievements helped change perceptions around her. The same family that once had no women in higher education now encourages younger girls to continue their studies and explore new opportunities.

"My family now asks me to guide my nieces and encourage them to continue their education," she says. "That means a lot to me because it shows how perspectives can change."

Her influence extends beyond her family. In her neighbourhood, parents often come to her for advice about their children's education. She regularly speaks with young girls in her community about the importance of education, self-development, and pursuing their interests, regardless of social expectations. 

Together with a group of friends, she also developed an application to connect young girls and women across Uzbekistan with mentorship opportunities, guidance, and support. What was once considered unusual has become a source of inspiration for those around her.

"I always tell them that nobody should decide what they are capable of except themselves," she adds. As a mother of three, she hopes to pass the same values of education and perseverance on to her own children.

By choosing her own path, she became the first woman in her family to receive a higher education and build a career in engineering. Today, she is helping ensure she will not be the last.