Aleksandra Ryabykh, co-founder of the "Union of Women in the Nuclear Industry" foundation, emphasized at the opening of the forum that it is important to talk not about the oppression of women's rights, but about new opportunities for women from Russia and Kyrgyzstan. According to her, many professions, including those in high technologies, have become accessible to women, opening up new horizons for them.
Ryabykh noted that in recent years, the number of professions previously inaccessible to women has significantly decreased. Now women pilot airplanes, operate trains, and manage complex industrial installations. An inspiring example is Marina Starovoitova, who became the first female captain of the nuclear icebreaker "Yamal." She previously taught Russian but decided to change her life by connecting it with the sea, illustrating the absence of restrictions for women in choosing professions.
She stated that "Rosatom" actively supports women both in Russia and abroad, covering more than 40 countries. The "Unified Force" program helps to unlock women's leadership potential, and joint projects with the Congress of Women of Kyrgyzstan aim to engage women in science and technology. "The development of technologies and strengthening the economy require attention to the formation of human capital for the long term," added Ryabykh.
Galina Karelova, a Russian senator and head of the Eurasian Women's Forum Council, spoke online and emphasized the importance of enhancing women's competitiveness. She noted that 35 projects of the council are aimed at developing digital and financial literacy. "With changes in economic models and social policies, new opportunities arise for women, and the field of information technology becomes particularly attractive," she emphasized.
During the plenary session "Growth Strategy: How Women Influence Economic Development," Dmitry Konstantinov, General Director of the "Rosatom" representative office in Kyrgyzstan, noted the significant contribution of women to the economy. Women make up almost half of all employed in Russia, and in the nuclear industry, their share reaches 33%. In Kyrgyzstan, women's businesses are also actively developing, accounting for 42% among entrepreneurs.
Zamira Akbagysheva, President of the Congress of Women of Kyrgyzstan, noted that cooperation with Russia is strengthening. A memorandum and a Roadmap have been signed, including training and support programs for women in high technologies. She emphasized that the forum is the first event within this cooperation roadmap, signed in September 2025 at World Atomic Week in Moscow.
Akbagysheva spoke about the project "Educated Woman - Educated Country," which offers free courses in IT and business planning. More than 40,000 women have undergone training, and many have successfully started their own businesses. The program also includes IT technology classes for students at KNU.
Damirbek Bikulov, Deputy Head of the National Investment Agency of Kyrgyzstan, noted that the meeting would be beneficial for both countries, which have enormous potential for economic development and women's entrepreneurship. "Rosatom" plays an important role in strengthening Kyrgyz-Russian relations.
Anton Vetoshkin, Deputy Chairman of the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund, spoke about how the fund eliminates barriers for women in the economy. Over more than ten years, the fund has invested over $965 million in Kyrgyzstan, supporting projects in various sectors, including education and technology.
The forum also discussed issues of women's participation in science, healthcare, energy, and innovation, as well as strategies that contribute to unlocking their professional potential.
Photo by Svetlana Lapteva.
