A public and political mass organization established in May 1993. Its main objectives are: to expand the role of women as representatives and participants in public development, to assist in providing women with equal opportunities for full realization of their abilities, and to involve women in politics and decision-making processes at all levels of government. It has 7 regional branches. The highest governing body is the congress. The president is Zamira Akbagysheva. Together with the Eurasia Foundation, the Congress has established and operates a training center, where over four years, 4,500 participants have been trained in seminars on the basics of entrepreneurship, courses in English, German, Turkish, Kyrgyz languages, computer skills, and "business image." Representatives from 42 NGOs and 6,000 women have acquired skills and knowledge in developing business projects, starting small and medium enterprises, obtaining loans, and managing and repaying them. It provides assistance to women in acquiring land and agricultural machinery. In 1996, tractors were obtained for women farmers. In 1999, girls were trained in carpet weaving in Turkey. The Congress established a Legal Protection Center with the support of the Ministry of Justice.
The Center employs a lawyer, has a library on legal topics, and produces video and audio materials on legal issues. Legal service centers have been established in all regions. Upon client requests, letters and appeals to various government bodies are sent, assistance is provided in employment and solving social problems. The Congress of Women of Kyrgyzstan maintains a regular column "Women's Rights" in the newspaper "ZAMAN Kyrgyzstan" and participated in the preparation and conduct of events dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It has assisted 37 NGOs in implementing projects aimed at involving women in politics, helping them acquire the skills necessary for participating in decision-making processes. A book titled "Women. Choices in a World of Traditions and Changes" has been published, presenting various opinions and judgments about the role of women in the modern world. A forum for women in Central Asia was held, resulting in the creation of the International Congress of Women of Central Asia. An International Forum "Women and Peace" was also held in 1995, attended by representatives of women's organizations from the USA, Turkey, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. Following the republican conference "Women in a Transitional Period" (1995), a draft National Program for Improving the Status of Women in Kyrgyzstan was adopted and submitted to the Presidential Administration, the Jogorku Kenesh, and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Together with the U.S. Democratic Commission, seminars have been held to strengthen the role of women in building a democratic rule of law state in all areas. 120 people have been trained. In collaboration with the F. Ebert Foundation and the joint-stock company "Bishkeksyut," a competition among journalists was held. Media outlets have been analyzed over a two-year period. A series of television and radio programs about the role of women in society and gender balance in society have been prepared for KTR, VOOST, Pyramid, KOORT, and ORT. The goal is to change the patriarchal stereotype of women. Within the framework of the "Women and Politics" club, monthly courses for training women leaders have been conducted. More than 450 women have been trained. The president of the Congress participated in the Interagency Governmental Group for the implementation of the "Ayalzat" program — a national program for improving the status of women. Since 1994, in collaboration with KTR, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture, festive concerts "Apam jana men," "Kubulju menin yrlary," and "Stars of the 21st Century" have been held annually, broadcast on national television.
For their active participation in the work of the Congress of Women of Kyrgyzstan, the best pop artists have been awarded the title of "Laureate of the Congress of Women of Kyrgyzstan": T. Cherikchieva, A. Turdalieva, S. Nazarenco, D. Akulova, K. Eralieva, A. Imanalieva, R. Amanova. A Kyrgyz-Turkish exhibition of artists titled "Mother — the Living Soul of the World" has been held. In the central office of the Congress of Women of Kyrgyzstan, as well as in all regional branches, an "Exhibition of Applied Arts" is ongoing, and republican competitions "Myrzaiym-97" and "Myrzaiym-98" have been conducted. The Congress of Women has email and Internet access. During visits, memorandums of cooperation have been signed with women's organizations from Turkey, Pakistan, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, France, Yugoslavia, the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, India, and Korea. The Congress of Women has its representatives: in Malaysia — N. Mambetakunova, in France — A. Samudinova, in Chile — L. Ozkarol, in Spain — L. Dolgova. The number of members is 52,000 (as of 2001).
