On November 15, 2024, the VII Republican Forum of Rural Women was held in Astana, bringing together more than 200 women leaders of rural communities from all regions of Kazakhstan, as well as representatives of international and non-governmental organizations. The main topics of the forum included sustainable development of rural areas, support for women’s entrepreneurship, implementation of “green” technologies, and financial assistance measures.
A member of the National Commission for Women Affairs, Family, and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and a Member of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Karakat Abden, addressed the forum participants. She emphasized the importance of expanding economic opportunities for women in rural areas and their role in the development of the agro-industrial complex.
“The National Commission actively supports initiatives of rural women, enhancing their economic potential and improving the quality of life in rural regions. Rural women are the foundation of our economy, and their full involvement in the process of sustainable development is a top priority,” noted Karakat Abden.
The forum served as a platform for discussing the outcomes of projects such as “Steps to Growth” (Belesteri) and “One Village – One Product”, aimed at supporting entrepreneurship among rural women. Since 2012, the Belesteri project has trained more than 110,000 women in business basics, helped establish over 7,500 small enterprises, and created more than 10,000 jobs across the country. During the forum, the first 14 of 30 grants for business idea implementation were awarded, with the remaining grants to be distributed in early 2025.
The forum also featured an exhibition of products by winners of the Belesteri grant competition, showcasing traditional national clothing, textiles, livestock products, and culinary items. For instance, attendees could view classic Құрақ көрпеquilts, linen clothing with national embroidery, as well as pastilles and cheesecakes made from irimshik, based on ethnic recipes.
For additional information about the forum and projects, please visit ccb.kz/forums.
A member of the National Commission for Women Affairs, Family, and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and a Member of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Karakat Abden, addressed the forum participants. She emphasized the importance of expanding economic opportunities for women in rural areas and their role in the development of the agro-industrial complex.
“The National Commission actively supports initiatives of rural women, enhancing their economic potential and improving the quality of life in rural regions. Rural women are the foundation of our economy, and their full involvement in the process of sustainable development is a top priority,” noted Karakat Abden.
The forum served as a platform for discussing the outcomes of projects such as “Steps to Growth” (Belesteri) and “One Village – One Product”, aimed at supporting entrepreneurship among rural women. Since 2012, the Belesteri project has trained more than 110,000 women in business basics, helped establish over 7,500 small enterprises, and created more than 10,000 jobs across the country. During the forum, the first 14 of 30 grants for business idea implementation were awarded, with the remaining grants to be distributed in early 2025.
The forum also featured an exhibition of products by winners of the Belesteri grant competition, showcasing traditional national clothing, textiles, livestock products, and culinary items. For instance, attendees could view classic Құрақ көрпеquilts, linen clothing with national embroidery, as well as pastilles and cheesecakes made from irimshik, based on ethnic recipes.
For additional information about the forum and projects, please visit ccb.kz/forums.