Kazakh Women Thrive in US-Backed Entrepreneurship Program

In a spectacular display of economic empowerment, 130 Kazakhstani women entrepreneurs have successfully completed the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program, a revolutionary project started by the US Department of State in 2021. The AWE initiative strives to harness women's economic potential while also promoting social stability, safety, and prosperity.

The AWE program, which operates in over 80 countries, has already affected approximately 16,000 women by providing critical skills and resources for company development and expansion. Kazakhstan's ambassador to the United States, Yerzhan Ashikbayev, emphasized the important cultural and political roles women have played throughout the country's history. He expressed optimism that the AWE initiative, by providing entrepreneurial possibilities and expertise, will help to the economic empowerment of participating women.

This year, the program focuses on alumni engagement, highlighting success stories such as Nazgul Nassiyeva, an AWE alumna who received a Coca-Cola grant and participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), experiencing significant growth in language proficiency, professional acumen, and global networking.

Laura Lau, who went from project management to entrepreneurship, offers a complete career advising program through her startup, TeenWin. Alida Alimbetova, who specializes in children's printed goods, expanded her business with the help of a Coca-Cola grant, while Zhamilya Turumkozhayeva, founder of Assyl Mura, transformed her home-based sewing workshop into a thriving enterprise that provides lessons and employment opportunities to the community. The AWE program continues to be a beacon of success for female entrepreneurs, causing a beneficial ripple effect in Kazakhstan's commercial scene.