Photo exhibition ‘Women creating the history of Kyrgyzstan’

October 4, 2020, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - A photo exhibition dedicated to the role and participation of women in the political life of the country is being held in Bishkek on the day of Parliament elections in Kyrgyz Republic.

This event is organized by the Central Election Committee in partnership with UN Women and UNDP as part of the implementation of the National Campaign to Support Women's Leadership in Political Life in Kyrgyzstan.

The photo exhibition contains photographs and biographies of women who have made an invaluable contribution to the formation and development of the Republic in socio-political and socio-cultural activities.

“There is an opinion in the society that women should not take part in the political life of the country. And women who do go into politics are generally perceived as “supporters” or “implementors” of the political ambitions of their male colleagues, and not as “leaders”.

With this exhibition, we want to show that women's leadership is multifaceted, and Kyrgyz women have always taken an active part in all aspects of the country's activities, ”- UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan Ozonnia Ojielo.

The exhibition showcases historical figures such as Kurmanzhan Datka and Urkuya Salieva, women who contributed to agriculture and medicine - Kakish Ryskulova and Fedosiya Strelnikova, as well as contemporaries who made an undeniable contribution to culture, science and sports, like Aisuluu Tynybekova and Asel Sartbaeva.

In Kyrgyzstan currently women comprise 16,7% in the Parliament. Only 29,3% of women occupy political and governing positions. According to UN Women, there is a stereotypical appointment of women in government services, mainly in the social sphere.

The participation of women in decision-making is the most important condition for the successful advancement of all other areas of gender equality. This fact was confirmed during of the pandemic crisis with regard to the Covid-19. Women-managers and public female activists have played a key role in terms of the aid mobilization to needy vulnerable population during of the critical period when the incidences of a disease reached a highest peak.

Information for the photo exhibition is taken from the book by Kulbubu Bekturganova "Kyrgyz woman: history and modernity", which contains about 200 essays about women in Kyrgyzstan.

This event was organized within the framework of the UNDP Kyrgyz Republic Election Assistance Program with the support of the Swiss government.

Media contact

Nargiz Koshoibekova

UN Women

Nargiz.koshoibekova@unwomen.org