Kyrgyzstan hosted the second "Women's Leadership – A Breakthrough into a New Era” National Forum
Date:
On 21-22 August, women leaders, politicians and civil servants from all provinces of Kyrgyzstan gathered at the second National Forum Women's Leadership – A Breakthrough into a New Era. The forum served as a platform for dialogue about the importance of women's contribution to the development of society, rethinking women's leadership factors and creating a joint strategy for the development of the country.
The forum brought together women deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament) and local keneshes (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 Tirek, Aigul Japarova, former President of Kyrgyzstan Roza Otunbayeva, UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan Antje Grawe, Minister of Labor and Social Development Kudaibergen Bazarbaev, Deputy Chair of the Cabinet of Ministers Edil Baisalov and other political leaders.
At the forum, participants discussed the promotion of women's leadership as well as the recognition of women's significant contribution 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.
The First Lady Aigul Japarova noted the need to conduct the women's leadership forum on an annual basis. "I am sure that if we hold such a highly organized national forum every year, it will yield success."
Participants also emphasized the essential 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 contributed to building the modern Kyrgyzstan. As a side event, a photo exhibition and film screening was organized in honor of Batysh Salieva, a distinguished Kyrgyz public official who throughout her career prioritized the support and improvement of the people’ social security, whose 100th anniversary is being celebrated this year.. Thus, the Minister of Labor, Social Security and Migration Kudaibergen Bazarbaev noted the important role of Kyrgyzstani women in the formation of statehood. "Prominent figures of the past such as Kurmanjan Datka, Urkuya Salieva, Batysh Salieva, Kulyipa Kunduchalova, Sakin Begmatova and other women laid the foundation for success of our country," said the Minister.
During her welcoming remarks, the UN Resident Coordinator Antje Grawe stressed the importance of promoting leadership and participation of women and girls in public life to accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Kyrgyzstan. "The participation of women and girls in public life is not only a fundamental human right but also a necessity for the socio-economic development of the country as well as for social cohesion," underlined Grawe. She also highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment for women and girls to realize their full potential, including the need for the legal framework, strong government support and promotion of women's communities.
The event was organized by the Ministry of Labor, 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 Program, the Government of Switzerland and the European Union and UN joint "Spotlight" initiative.