For women in Kyrgyzstan, the expression "adding a 25th hour to the day" has become not just figurative, but a necessary element of life. Faced with the need to combine career and household responsibilities, Kyrgyz women find themselves in a situation known as the "second shift," where time for themselves becomes an unattainable luxury.
According to the National Statistical Committee, women in Kyrgyzstan spend an average of about 4 hours and 40 minutes on household chores every day. This accounts for nearly 19% of their lives spent on cleaning, cooking, and caring for family members, while men spend only 55 minutes on these activities (5 times less). This imbalance is particularly acute in rural areas, where women spend about 5 hours a day on household chores, compared to their urban sisters, who spend around 4 hours. The difference is explained not only by traditions but also by the greater physical demands of domestic work in villages.
When the workday in the office ends, men relax, while women begin their second shift. Let's consider a typical day for a woman working in Bishkek:
Official work: 8 hours.
Commute to and from work: 2 hours (taking into account traffic and public transport).
Household responsibilities: 5 hours (including cleaning, laundry, cooking, and helping children with homework).
Essential needs: 1 hour (hygiene procedures and meals).
Sleep: 8 hours (in an ideal, but rarely achievable case).
Kyrgyz women have only 2 hours and 20 minutes left for sports or hobbies each week, which amounts to just 20 minutes a day. This time is insufficient for full recovery, going to the gym, or simply enjoying some quiet. As a result, fatigue accumulates and becomes chronic, while "me time" is overshadowed by an endless to-do list.
