LocationsKnitting connections: empowering women through E-commerce
November 19, 2024
Nargiza Turbatova at the "Women's Entrepreneurship 2024" exhibition in Bishkek.
Meet Nargiza, the founder of "Tomo," a project dedicated to supporting women, mothers, homemakers, and people with disabilities in Kyrgyzstan. The name "Tomo," meaning "friend" in Japanese, reflects the project's mission to create a nurturing community where creativity and economic independence can thrive.
"Tomo" utilizes Japanese amigurumi knitting techniques, which is quite rare for Kyrgyzstan, enabling participants to craft unique items from home. This approach is especially vital for those who face challenges in attending workshops or traditional workplaces. As a mother of three, Nargiza understands the difficulties of balancing family responsibilities with the desire for financial independence, especially for those living in rural areas.
Through "Tomo," Nargiza provides essential materials and knitting patterns, allowing to work remotely. This innovative model has facilitated collaboration with women across various regions, many of them she has never met in person. The internet and social media helped to make the project known over the past year and a half, creating a vibrant network of creators.
Currently, Nargiza is taking part in UNDP’s E-commerce incubation programme, equipping her with the skills needed to scale her project and enhance business capabilities in the digital landscape.
Nargiza is sharing her story during Central Asian E-commerce Forum held in Bishkek. October 2024.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the E-commerce training. It’s giving me the tools I need to grow my project and search for new markets and expand our business online. The most importantly, it helps me to empower even more women to earn an income from home." — says Nargiza, Founder of "Tomo".
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) plays a pivotal role in advancing digital development in Kyrgyzstan through various initiatives focused on enhancing digital infrastructure, building capacity, and promoting policies that support digitalization and social cohesion. Through its E-commerce incubation programme, UNDP aims to train more than 50 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in digital marketing and online sales, reinforcing the private sector’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
Nargiza is also developing customizable products that can play recorded voice messages, allowing for a personal touch in each creation. She plans to launch these items on the Wildberries marketplace and create DIY kits that encourage children to craft their own projects, providing a productive alternative to screen time.
Nargiza's story is a testament to the transformative impact of digital development, showing how innovative approaches can empower communities and drive sustainable economic growth. Through the support of UNDP and the John Galt business accelerator, Nargiza's project exemplifies how targeted initiatives can lead to tangible outcomes for individuals and communities. Her journey not only speaks about the importance of the financial independence for women but also contributes to the broader development of local economies in Kyrgyzstan.
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About the project
UNDP is implementing the fifth phase of the regional project "Aid for Trade in Central Asia," funded by the Government of Finland. The project aims to support Central Asian countries in achieving inclusive and sustainable growth by promoting "green" value chains and enhancing the competitiveness of their economies. It contributes to creating more resilient, secure, and gender-sensitive economic structures by diversifying the economy and adapting to new market and consumer trends. The E-commerce expansion initiatives are carried out as part of this project in partnership with the John Galt business accelerator.
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