LocationsExploring the future of women's entrepreneurship in Kyrgyzstan
November 21, 2024
Bishkek, November 21, 2024 – As part of the Women's Entrepreneurship Day celebration, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) highlights the importance of women entrepreneurs as key players in economic growth in Kyrgyzstan. Today, UNDP presented the results of projects and initiatives aimed at supporting women's entrepreneurship in the Kyrgyz Republic. The event is being held in conjunction with the World Women's Entrepreneurship Day (WED) 2024 Forum, which marks its 10th anniversary. This milestone not only highlights the significant economic contributions of women entrepreneurs to the country’s economy but also serves as a platform for exchanging knowledge, experiences, and ideas.
"The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the support of its partners, is implementing a programme focused on empowering women entrepreneurs. The program's initiatives aim to create equal opportunities for business, enhance women’s economic standing, and improve their competitiveness," said Daniyar Amangeldiev, Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day is a global initiative, supported by the UN since 2014, dedicated to empowering and supporting women entrepreneurs worldwide. This day celebrates women’s contributions to entrepreneurship, while also addressing key challenges they face, such as limited access to financing, capacity-building opportunities, and social barriers. In Kyrgyzstan, the forum is organized annually by the Public Association "Women's Forum 'Kurak'," in partnership with government agencies and international organizations. Since 2019, UNDP has been a key partner of the event through its "Aid for Trade" project.
Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in Kyrgyzstan.
“The development of women’s entrepreneurship plays a key role in addressing poverty and driving sustainable growth. UNDP helps women gain access to business skills, finance, and export markets, supporting over a thousand women through mentoring and creative labs. In addition, UNDP actively supports the creation and implementation of gender-sensitive policies. Through its partnership with the Government of Kyrgyzstan, a regulatory framework has been established to improve women’s access to finance, legal protection, and business networks, creating a more favorable environment for their entrepreneurial activities. These efforts contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, including gender equality and inclusive growth,” said Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in Kyrgyzstan.
Today, women lead 29% of all small and medium-sized enterprises in the country. However, according to the latest Human Development Report 2023, women’s share of the labor market in Kyrgyzstan has declined from 43.6% to 42.1% compared to the previous year, remaining significantly lower than men’s share, which stands at 76.7%. These figures highlight the persistent gender gap in the labor force, underscoring the need for continued efforts to create equal opportunities for women.
The annual events dedicated to WED are an integral part of promoting and implementing the State Programme for the Support of Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Kyrgyz Republic for 2022-2026. In this context, WED 2024 focuses on fostering collaboration with various ministries responsible for executing the State Program, aiming to achieve greater results by 2026. Additionally, discussions were held regarding a joint collaboration among Central Asian designers to strengthen the garment sector and boost the economies of the region.
Ainura Sagynbaeva, Ambassador of World Women's Entrepreneurship Day, emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships to achieve economic progress: "This year, Kyrgyzstan is focusing on Partnership and Creativity as main factors for entrepreneurship success. To achieve strong economic results, it is essential to bring together the efforts of all stakeholders. Only through collective action can we unlock the full potential of women’s entrepreneurship and strengthen the role of our talented and hardworking women in driving the prosperity of families and society."
Ainura Sagynbaeva, Ambassador of World Women's Entrepreneurship Day in Kyrgyzstan
At the conclusion of the event, participants emphasized the importance of continued support for women’s entrepreneurship in Kyrgyzstan and the need to strengthen partnerships between public, private, and international organizations. UNDP will continue its efforts to expand opportunities for women in business, helping them integrate into both the national economy and global markets. Through collaborative efforts, we can create equal opportunities for all and contribute to sustainable development.
Contact person:
Ainagul Abdrakhmanova, Head of Communications, UNDP in Kyrgyzstan
Email: ainagul . abdrakhmanova @ undp . org
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