- The Women's Forum 'Kurak' has been operating for four years, - said IA representative of the organization, Aizhan Chynybayeva. – During this time, we have implemented many projects in the regions of the republic. More than twenty women entrepreneurs are organizing workshops for Kyrgyz women who want to start their own business or whose businesses are in the early stages of development, using their own funds. For example, as a representative of the hotel and restaurant business, I conduct training on small entrepreneurship, explaining how to organize hostels or guest houses, restaurant service standards, and the intricacies of this business. We also have psychologists, lawyers, masters of applied arts, and designers. In addition, we organize cultural events. Recently, concerts featuring stars of opera from Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan took place in Bishkek and Karakol.
On October 30, the Women's Forum presented a new project – 'KURAK Talks'. This was the first open discussion, with guests being well-known and interesting personalities who came to Kyrgyzstan from abroad: former president of AUCA Ellen Herwitz, author of books on women's leadership and success Carol Hyatt, artist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Wendy Wallenberg, as well as the author of the book 'Faces and Voices of the Bronx: Sixteen Stories of Courage and Community' Emita Hill. The honored guests shared how they achieved success.
- About a hundred people attended the event. The discussion took the form of interactive workshops, and there were many questions, - reported Aizhan Chynybayeva. – Also, as part of this evening, we presented our successful project – the Database for Women Entrepreneurs of Kyrgyzstan. It includes about 600 women from all over Kyrgyzstan, and today they receive necessary information via SMS: legal, economic, tax-related, etc. We continue to expand the database to create a platform where people can solve their problems.
According to the Forum representative, 'Kurak' evenings are planned to be held once a month. Women of different ages and professions can participate.
- We constantly emphasize that this is not a feminist forum. Through women, we support the entire state. A woman is a mother, a wife, and she also bears great responsibility for the material support of families. If she does not know how to start a business, she may take the wrong loans, sign the wrong documents, and end up with nothing. We want to prevent this from happening.
