According to Nurgul Ysakova, the creation of the network helped women from different villages and regions realize that many of the challenges they face are similar — from shortages of irrigation water and drought to disputes arising at the local level.

The most important change, however, came when the women began sharing their experiences and supporting one another’s initiatives.

“Most importantly, we no longer felt that we were alone with our problems. We realized that by working together, we can achieve much more than each of us could individually,” Nurgul Ysakova noted.

Today, members of the Tynchtyk Bulagy network do more than meet during training activities. When women in one village develop a successful approach to saving water or cooperating with local authorities, they share that experience with network members from other communities.

One of the key questions for the network members, therefore, is how to sustain this cooperation after the project ends and establish lasting partnerships between women’s associations and national and local authorities.

In practical terms, this means holding regular consultations with local authorities, ensuring women’s participation in discussions on water and climate issues, and establishing a clear and transparent procedure for considering initiatives submitted by several villages.

Nurgul Ysakova addressed this question directly to the members of parliament and representatives of government institutions:

“Are you ready to support such inter-village women’s associations as permanent partners of local authorities — involving them in joint initiatives, exchanges of experience, and efforts to address common challenges affecting several villages?”

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, responded to the question.

She clarified that she could not speak on behalf of all members of parliament, but expressed the willingness of women MPs to continue engaging with members of the network.

“I cannot speak on behalf of all MPs, but I can speak on behalf of the women MPs. We are always ready to engage in dialogue with you. We do not divide ourselves by saying, ‘I am from Chui’ or ‘I am from Jalal-Abad.’ We are all here with the same common goal. If we can make your voices heard and provide support, I believe that would already be a good achievement,” Erkeaiym Seitkazieva said.

Thus, the discussion went beyond addressing individual challenges faced by rural women. It also raised the question of how women’s networks established in rural communities can become a sustainable mechanism for engagement with public authorities and how initiatives from villages can reach decision-makers.

As Nurgul Ysakova stated at the conclusion of her remarks:

“One woman can change the life of her family. But when women unite, they can transform the life of an entire village — or even several villages.”

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.