In Bishkek, the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC) conducted national trainings within the framework of the project "Climate-responsive and gender-sensitive basin management".
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Central Asia", which is implemented by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
On 12-13 March 2025, the trainings brought together representatives of the Main Water Management Departments (MWMD), District Water Management Departments (DWMD), and representatives of the Water Resources Service under the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic. Particular attention was paid to the involvement of women specialists — their share among the participants was 45%.
Each 8-hour training included a discussion of reforms in water legislation, progress in the implementation of integrated water resources management (IWRM) in the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as national strategies for adaptation to climate change. Participants studied approaches to basin planning, measures for adaptation and mitigation of climate change at the watershed level.
A separate block was devoted to inclusive methods of water resources management, the introduction of new water conservation technologies and water reuse. Mechanisms for resolving water conflicts, negotiation skills and working with information were also considered.
"When I headed the Water Users Association (WUA) 'Aksukhalmen', we regularly held meetings devoted to water circulation and tariff policy. At that time, many disputes arose, and a decision was made to more actively involve women in the WUA. Four women out of 15 board members made a significant contribution to the negotiation process, bringing a more diplomatic approach to the discussion. Thanks to this, the meetings were held in a more constructive, calm atmosphere. Currently, women make up 30% of the WUA members and play an important role in representing the interests of the water user community," noted Duishonbek Orozbaev, Head of the Water Use Department, Kadamjai DWMD.
The training ended with a discussion and presentation of certificates to the participants.
More information about the project:
CAREC is implementing the project "Climate-responsive and gender-sensitive basin management" from 2024 to 2026. The Project is part of the Regional Program "Climate Sensitive Water Resources Management in Central Asia", which is implemented by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
The aim of the project is to strengthen regional cooperation between the countries of the region by providing information and theoretical support to stakeholders in the implementation of IWRM.
The project will implement 24 gender-sensitive trainings at national, cross-border and regional levels.
Contact person - Irina Yugay, Project Manager (CAREC Water Initiatives Support Program), wisspecialist@carececo.org