On August 13, 2024, a roundtable was held in the village of Sokuluk, Chui region, where ways to strengthen women’s political participation and leadership in Kyrgyzstan were discussed.

The main goal of the meeting was to develop recommendations for improving legislation and creating conditions to increase the role of women in politics and leadership positions.

The meeting was attended by members of the Jogorku Kenesh, Vinera Raimbachaeva and Dinara Ashimova, representatives from the Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic, staff from the Sokuluk district administration, as well as activists, NGO representatives, and local government members. The key topics raised at the roundtable included the barriers women face in political participation and opportunities for educational and mentoring programs.

In her opening speech, Vinera Raimbachaeva emphasized that one of the state’s priority tasks remains ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women at all levels of government. She highlighted the importance of the State Program for Supporting Women’s Leadership, approved by the Presidential Decree of the Kyrgyz Republic in March 2024, which aims to develop leadership qualities in women and create fair conditions for their active participation in politics.

The program includes an Action Plan for 2024-2027 and establishes indicators for monitoring its implementation. As noted by Raimbachaeva, the implementation of the program should contribute to broader participation of women in decision-making processes and increase their representation in leadership positions. This is a step toward creating a modern, inclusive society where women can fully realize their rights and potential.

Dinara Ashimova emphasized that such meetings allow for the development of concrete proposals to improve the position of women in society. She noted that particular attention should be given to collaboration between government bodies and civil society, which is an important factor in promoting female leadership and political participation.

A discussion was held about the challenges women face in political participation. The following issues were discussed:

Barriers to political participation: Participants noted that women often lack support and recognition from society and colleagues, as well as the necessary confidence and financial resources to participate in elections and political campaigns.

The role of education and mentorship: One of the key steps toward a successful political career is access to educational programs and mentorship initiatives, which help women develop leadership qualities and gain support from experienced colleagues.

The need for legislative changes: Participants suggested revising existing norms and quotas to encourage women’s participation in politics and their advancement to high-level positions. Ideas were also presented about strengthening the monitoring and control systems for implementing gender programs.

The discussion emphasized that female leadership is an integral component of a fair society’s development. Historically, women in Kyrgyzstan have played a significant role in its prosperity, and the State Program for Supporting Women’s Leadership until 2030 is aimed at further developing this potential. The program’s goal is to create a just system where gender equality and women’s participation at all levels of government will serve as the foundation for stability and success in society.