Kyrgyzstan hosted the second national forum “Women’s Leadership – A Breakthrough into a New Era”
On August 21 and 22, women leaders, politicians and civil servants from all provinces of Kyrgyzstan gathered at the second National Forum on Women’s Leadership – A Breakthrough into a New Era. The forum served as a platform for dialogue on the importance of women’s contribution to the development of society, rethinking women’s leadership factors and creating a common strategy for the country’s development.
The forum brought together women deputies from the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament) and local keneshs (councils), representatives of district and provincial administrations, women who hold positions in the cabinet of ministers, alongside the First Lady and director of the public foundation, Ene Balaga TirekAigul Japarova, former President of Kyrgyzstan Roza Otunbayeva, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan Antje Grawe, Minister of Labor and Social Development Kudaibergen Bazarbaev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Edil Baisalov and other political leaders .
During the forum, the participants discussed the promotion of women’s leadership as well as the recognition of the significant contribution of women to the development of the country in the context of new challenges, instability in the region and reforms. As part of the forum, an action plan was developed to advance women’s leadership in decision-making, end violence against women and girls, empower women economically and advance women’s contributions to environmental protection and peacebuilding.
First Lady Aigul Japarova stressed the need to hold the Women’s Leadership Forum on an annual basis. “I am sure that if we hold such a well-organized national forum every year, it will be successful.”
Participants also highlighted the critical role of women pioneers in science, industry, transportation, energy infrastructure, opera and ballet, education, foreign policy, culture and sports, and highlighted the role of women who have contributed to building modern Kyrgyzstan. In parallel, a photo exhibition and a film screening were organized in honor of Batysh Salieva, a prominent Kyrgyz civil servant who, throughout her career, prioritized the support and improvement of social security of the people, including the 100e anniversary is celebrated this year. Thus, the Minister of Labour, Social Security and Migration Kudaibergen Bazarbaev highlighted the important role of Kyrgyz women in the formation of the state. “Personalities from the past such as Kurmanjan Datka, Urkuya Salieva, Batysh Salieva, Kulyipa Kunduchalova, Sakin Begmatova and other women laid the foundations for our country’s success,” the minister said.
During her welcoming remarks, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Antje Grawe, stressed the importance of promoting the leadership and participation of women and girls in public life to accelerate progress towards the achievement of development goals. sustainability in Kyrgyzstan. “The participation of women and girls in public life is not only a basic human right but also a necessity for the socio-economic development of the country as well as for social cohesion,” Grawe stressed. She also highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment for women and girls to realize their full potential, including the need for a legal framework, strong government support and the promotion of women’s communities.
The event was organized by the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan in cooperation with UN Women, Aigul Japarova’s Ene Balaga Tirek public foundation with the support of the World Food Programme, the Swiss government and the joint “Spotlight” initiative of the European Union and the United Nations.
