Peace in Action: Advancing national strategies with local voices in Kyrgyzstan
January 23, 2025

In the heart of Kerben, a town nestled in the mountainous landscapes of Kyrgyzstan, Kyshtut and Ak-Turpak villages something outstanding has happened. Women, who once stood on the sidelines, are now leading their community towards a brighter, more inclusive future. Their journey is a testament to the power of resilience, learning, and collective action.
Finding Their Voice
It all began with a group of women who joined an initiative supported by UNDP under the Governance, Peacebuilding, Crisis, and Resilience Funding Window. This group worked under the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which highlights the critical role women play in building peace and strengthening security. Through workshops and training sessions, these women learned about their rights, developed leadership skills, and discovered how to navigate challenges in their community.
“At first, I didn’t believe I could make a difference,” recalls Aigul, one of the participants. “But step by step, with the support of the group, I started to feel confident. Now I see that change is possible if we work together.”
Tackling Real Issues
The group quickly moved from learning to action. They organized community meetings, identified pressing problems, and began working on solutions.
One standout project focused on improving waste management in the area. Two group members took the lead to ensure that local waste disposal sites met safety standards. This effort not only reduced environmental risks but also resolved disputes over waste management, bringing greater harmony to the community.
Through project support, 23 dialogue platforms were established across three pilot areas—Ak-Turpak, Kyshtut, and Kerben. These platforms brought together 958 participants, including 640 women, to discuss key issues such as access to preschool education, women’s economic opportunities, and ensuring transparency and accountability in local governance.
The discussions also highlighted the need for better financial resource allocation and efficient coordination. This collaboration built trust between community members and local authorities, enabling joint planning for social cohesion and peacebuilding.
Local action plans developed through these platforms addressed specific tensions within communities, such as access to water and gender-based violence. For example, the consistent supply of clean water to the villages of Kyshtut, Tayan, and Charbak resolved a long-standing issue that affected 3,397 residents. New equipment allowed the water purification company to address emergency needs, eliminating prior frustrations caused by inadequate plumbing infrastructure. This initiative strengthened greater community cohesion and stability.
The women continued their work by addressing other challenges, such as improving infrastructure and creating opportunities for youth.
The support of national authorities made the initiatives sustainable. Local municipalities shared some of the costs, showing that this nationally prioritized approach can be replicated in other regions.

Women during community meetings
Breaking Barriers
Running for public office was a bold step for several members of the group. It wasn’t easy. They faced doubts from others—and sometimes from themselves. “People would ask, ‘Why do you think you can lead?’” shares Gulnara, now a city council member. “But we had learned to believe in our abilities and focus on what we could achieve together.”
In the end, their determination paid off. During the elections, the community rallied behind them, and 8 out of 12 women were elected to the city councils of Kerben city, Kyshtut village and Ak-turpak village. Their victory sent a powerful message: rural women’s voices matter, and they can lead with strength and compassion.
It worth mention that the 2019 law mandating a 30% quota for women in local councils marked a pivotal step toward gender equality. Before the law’s implementation, women made up only 10% of local council's members. As of November 2024, women’s representation in local councils has increased to 43%, reflecting significant progress in empowering women leaders.
Amplifying voices regionally
An important milestone in this journey came when Matraimova Aichurok, a member of the initiative group from Kyshtut village, participated in the Central Asian Women’s Dialogue Forum. At this event, she courageously voiced the locally driven aspirations and needs under all five pillars of UN Security Council Resolution 1325: protection, participation, prevention, relief, and recovery. Her presence and advocacy at the forum underscored the importance of women’s leadership in shaping peace and security policies across the region.

A collaborative pass forward
This remarkable transformation was made possible through the UNDP’s Governance, Peacebuilding, Crisis, and Resilience Funding Window. By supporting initiatives like these, the Funding Window helps remote and rural communities like Kerben, Kyshtut and Ak-Turpak realize their potential and work towards sustainable development goals.
“This is not just our story,” Gulnara reflects. “It’s the story of everyone in Kerben who believed in us and joined us on this journey. Together, we’re proving that change is possible.”
The story of the women leaders from Kerben shows how support and a shared vision can change entire communities. With the right help, even a small town can become an example for others.
UNDP’s work in Kyrgyzstan connects national strategies with local realities, proving the power of partnership in promoting and developing inclusive leadership and peace.
The Role of UNDP Project
UNDP has played a pivotal role in operationalizing NAP 1325 at the village level, demonstrating how global mandates can be locally relevant.
The project, “Empowering Civil Society for Inter-Community Dialogue and Interaction,” implemented under the Governance, Peacebuilding, Crisis, and Resilience Funding Window, worked in close coordination with the Ministry of culture, information, sports and youth policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, local mayor offices and CSOs.
This partnership has helped embed peacebuilding, gender equality and social cohesion in the work of communities and institutional policy frameworks. This has laid the foundation for a sustainable model of national ownership and implementation of strategies at the local level.