In the village of Ivanovka, an official ceremony was held to hand over equipment and materials as part of the "Life in Dignity" project

On April 9, 2024, an official ceremony was held in the village of Ivanovka to hand over certificates for equipment and materials to the beneficiaries of the "Life in Dignity" project to facilitate the implementation of their business plans.

The International Public Foundation Roza Otunbaeva Initiative, in cooperation with the partner organization International Alert Central Asia, is completing the first phase of the "Life in Dignity" project in Ivanovka aiyl aimak, Ysyk-Ata district, Chui region.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of local self-government bodies, including Deputy Executive Director of Roza Otunbaeva Initiative Arstan Sagyntai uulu, Deputy Head of Ysyk-Ata District Administration Nurbek Sagynbaev, Head of Ken-Bulun aiyl aimak Bek Jekshembaev, as well as Rasym Maratova from International Alert, Project Coordinator Bekzhan Otorov, trainers, experts and beneficiaries of the project.

In his speech, Arstan Sagyntai uulu congratulated the participants on the successful completion of the project and wished them success in their endeavors. He emphasized the importance of preventing family violence and encouraged the sharing of experiences and knowledge gained from the project with other families. He also thanked International Alert, the British government and the project experts and trainers. He concluded by expressing the Foundation's intention to continue the "Life with Dignity" project, believing that it will continue to positively impact many more families.

The Deputy Head of the Ysyk-Ata District Administration, Nurbek Sagynbaev, and the Head of Ken-Bulun aiyl aimak, Bek Jekshembaev, expressed their gratitude to the Foundation for the successful implementation of the project in Ivanovka and conveyed their support for future efforts.

Program Coordinator Rasym Maratova congratulated the participants and the team on the successful completion of the project. She commended their dedication to attending all 24 training workshops and praised the creativity shown in their business plans. Maratova expressed her optimism that the beneficiaries would achieve their goals and aspirations by efficiently using the equipment and materials provided to produce quality products. She also encouraged families to support their daughters-in-law in their endeavors and expressed her gratitude to the project team, the UK government for its financial support, and the local authorities for their assistance in implementing the project.

Project Coordinator Bekjan Otorov gave a final presentation on the results of the "Life in Dignity" project, highlighting the business projects of the beneficiaries.

The families of Davletova Zulfiya, Melisbek kyzy Aysuluu, Janybek kyzy Aizirek, Murat kyzy Nazira, Beishenaly kyzy Beshimai, Almanbetova Gulzana, and Mirzoeva Tahmina received sewing equipment to implement their business plans in sewing. The equipment included sewing and overlock machines, irons with steam generators, chairs, and tables.

The families of Ergeshova Mubarak, Bakytova Fatima, Duishekeeva Nargiza, Tashbay kyzy Asel, and Sagyndykova Turdugiul received seeds and fertilizers for growing sugar beets.

Sarmanova Aigul's family developed a business plan for raising broiler chickens and received equipment in the form of an incubator, four-stage mixed feed, and chickens for the initial stage of implementing the business plan.

Altynbek kyzy Perizat wrote a business plan for opening a beauty salon in her village. Previously, she had been providing services at home, but now her family plans to open a salon where she can work and serve more clients. As part of the project, she received hairdressing equipment, including mirrors and chairs, a hairdressing sink, and a water heater.

Rakhmatjan kyzy Malikias family developed a business plan to open a fast food shop. They identified a suitable premises and began implementing the plan in stages. As part of the business plan, the participant and her family received a freezer, a deep fryer, a grill, ovens, a meat roaster, and household items such as kitchen knives.

The "Life in Dignity" project was implemented by the Roza Otunbaeva Initiative Foundation in collaboration with the partner organization International Alert with funding from the Government of the United Kingdom. The project's objective is to overcome gender stereotypes and discrimination and reduce gender-based violence at the family level through behavioral change and economic empowerment of families.

The second phase of the project is scheduled to commence in Ivanovsky aiyl, Issyk-Ata district, Chui region. The second phase will concentrate on the expansion of economic opportunities as a means of reducing family violence.