On 13 October, a dialogue marking the International Day of Rural Women was held at the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic. The event brought together 15 representatives of the Tynchtyk Bulagy – Women for Climate and Water Security network from Osh, Batken, and Jalal-Abad regions.

Rural women activists, farmers, and local leaders had an opportunity to directly discuss with members of parliament the issues women in the regions face on a daily basis, including shortages of irrigation water, the impacts of climate change, conflict prevention, and women’s participation in natural resource management and decision-making.

Today, the Tynchtyk Bulagy network brings together 280 women leaders from 20 pilot communities, including 39 women members of local keneshes (local councils). Network members not only raise issues affecting their villages but also develop concrete initiatives and engage with local authorities.

The network members presented not only the challenges faced by their communities but also concrete proposals on how to strengthen cooperation with government institutions and local self-government bodies.

The dialogue was opened by Erkeaiym Seitkazieva, Deputy Chair of the Council for the Protection of the Rights of Women and Children and Gender Equality under the Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh. In her remarks, she highlighted the importance of rural women’s direct participation in discussions on issues that affect the lives of local communities and emphasized the need to take their proposals into account in decision-making processes.

Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, delivered welcoming remarks. She highlighted the important role of rural women in strengthening community resilience, adapting to climate change, and managing natural resources, and emphasized the importance of expanding opportunities for women to participate in decision-making processes.

Particular attention during the meeting was given to women’s participation in water resource management. Participants discussed shortages of irrigation water, the need to take local observations into account, and the importance of involving rural women in discussions and decisions that affect the lives of their communities.

The participants presented proposals on developing local climate plans; integrating climate, water, and conflict prevention issues into socio-economic development programmes; strengthening cooperation with Basin Councils and Public Advisory Councils; and expanding women’s participation in decision-making processes.

One of the practical outcomes of the dialogue was a proposal by the Members of Parliament for the women to submit their initiatives in writing for further consideration by the relevant government authorities. This format allows the discussion to continue through official correspondence without prejudging the outcome of the review process.

The event was held as part of the project “Women of the Fergana Valley at the Forefront of Climate Resilience, Adaptation and Peace,” implemented by UNDP and the Public Association “Ecological Movement BIOM”, with support from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.