In celebration of Women's Entrepreneurship Day (WED) 2024, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has highlighted the role women entrepreneurs play in driving Kyrgyzstan's economic growth. The event, marking the 10th anniversary of WED, brings together key stakeholders to explore the progress and future prospects of women in business in the Kyrgyz Republic.
"The government of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the support of its partners, is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs. The program's initiatives focus on creating equal opportunities, enhancing women's economic standing, and improving their competitiveness," said Daniyar Amangeldiev, Minister of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan, emphasizing the government's dedication to fostering women’s entrepreneurial success.
Since its global launch in 2014, WED has been a pivotal initiative, supported by the UN, that promotes women’s contributions to entrepreneurship while addressing the challenges they face. These include limited access to financing, lack of capacity-building opportunities, and social barriers that hinder their full potential.
In Kyrgyzstan, the WED forum is organized annually by the Public Association "Women's Forum 'Kurak'," in collaboration with government agencies and international organizations. Since 2019, UNDP has been a key partner, particularly through its "Aid for Trade" project.
Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in Kyrgyzstan, highlighted the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs for poverty reduction and sustainable growth. She noted that UNDP helps women gain access to business skills, finance, and export markets, mentoring over a thousand women.
Additionally, UNDP works with the government to develop policies promoting gender equality and improving women's access to finance, legal protection, and business networks, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly gender equality and inclusive growth.
While progress is being made, women still face challenges in the labor market. Women lead 29% of all small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kyrgyzstan. However, the latest Human Development Report (2023) reveals a slight decline in women’s share of the labor force, from 43.6% to 42.1%, which remains significantly lower than men’s share of 76.7%. This gap highlights the ongoing need for policies and initiatives that promote gender equality in the workplace and entrepreneurial opportunities.
WED 2024 emphasized the importance of collaboration, particularly in strengthening the garment sector through partnerships among Central Asian designers to boost regional economies. Ainura Sagynbaeva, Ambassador of WED, highlighted that entrepreneurship success relies on collective action, stating that Kyrgyzstan is focusing on Partnership and Creativity as key drivers of economic progress. She stressed that achieving strong results requires the combined efforts of all stakeholders.
The event concluded with calls for continued support for women entrepreneurs, urging stronger partnerships between public, private, and international organizations. UNDP reaffirmed its commitment to expanding opportunities for women in business, helping them integrate into both national and global markets. Through these collaborative efforts, the aim is to create equal opportunities for all, contributing to sustainable economic development.
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