How entrepreneurial determination of rural women strengthens social cohesion

“The trainings and events in which we participated empowered our village and became a motivation for our personal development. They left a deep impression on us and helped us to form ourselves into leaders of our own communities,” shared Kumushai, a resident of the village of Olon-Bulak, Kashka-Suu aiyl okmotu, Jalal-Abad region.

Kumushai, a 46-year-old mother of five, participated in the training of self-help groups of the project implemented in Aksy, Ala-Buka and Aravan districts, and became one of the main participants and initiators of processes to strengthen social cohesion.

These trainings, organized with the aim of expanding the rights and opportunities of rural women, supporting the special role of youth and women in peacebuilding, provided invaluable knowledge and information for personal growth and opportunities for self-sufficiency for women and young people.

Kumushai, who believed that she could do her work around the house and at the same time make her dreams come true, shared: “I am the youngest daughter-in-law living with my parents-in-law. As the one who has always been responsible for doing all the household chores, and now, wanting to do business, attending trainings, I faced my mother-in-law's displeasure at first, that if guests came home, the duties would remain unfulfilled.”

Determined to make a change in her life, Kumushai gained the skills of proper time management, and this desire - while fulfilling her household duties - allowed her to start implementing her initiatives.

At one of the trainings she attended, the knowledge on reproductive health proved to be especially important and helped Kumushai bond with her teenage daughter: “My attitude towards growing daughters and sons has changed, because after so many years I started to communicate openly with them. First of all, I myself must understand my children well and be on their side,” Kumushai emphasized.

However, Kumushai did not keep the useful information she received to herself. As the head of the parent committee of the village school, she shared knowledge about why it is important to teach boys and girls to take care of the reproductive health. In addition, Kumushai passed on the knowledge gained in small groups with neighboring women and girls.

The trainings revived the entrepreneurial spirit of Kumushai. With the support of her mother-in-law, she initiated the opening of a beauty salon near their house, which also provided employment opportunities for local women.

“Our small business has not only created jobs, but also strengthened women's sense of independence. Our rural women are now not only raising children and doing household chores, but also have their own personal money. Their mothers-in-law also understand and support them correctly,” Kumushai shared.

The beauty salon of the village of Olon-Bulak began to provide modern hairdressing services. Kumushai emphasized the convenience and accessibility that the salon provides in the village: “We have hot and cold running water. VIllagers are also curious, sometimes they just come to watch our work. School teachers come to get their nails done, their hair done. Previously, for the sake of a haircut, our school children went to the city of Kerben, 25 km away. from the village. During this time, until their return, their families were worried, and a lot of money was spent on transportation,” she explained.

In addition to the economic benefits of the new workplace, its social impact is also significant. Here they cut the hair of those families who care for relatives with disabilities for free, and make discounts for mothers with many children.

Kumushai not only changed her life through determination, perseverance and tireless work, but also made lasting positive changes in the communities of the village in which she resides.

“I clearly understood that if women are given education, inspiration, the necessary support and opportunities, then we can achieve everything we strive for,” Kumushai proves in words and deeds in her story. Her initiative helped to overcome traditional barriers, strengthen economic independence and social cohesion of rural communities.

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Initiated with the aim of strengthening partnership and cooperation between neighboring countries, the project "Joint Prosperity through Cooperation in the Border Regions of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan", with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund, has been implemented over 2.5 years by the Foundation for Tolerance International.

45 self-help groups of 340 women and youth living in the border communities of Kyrgyzstan with Uzbekistan were established within the project. The main objective of the groups is to support and empower rural women and youth in these communities to strengthen their socio-economic life in the community. In order to increase the capacity of the self-help groups, 36 business projects were technically supported.