In the pursuit of building a stronger community for women in the energy sector, USAID’s Power Central Asia hosted a four-day event in Almaty-themed “The Role of Women in the Energy Transition in Central Asia.” It brought together 40 women change-makers and visionaries from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The gathering became a resounding call for women to unite, empower each other, and foster lasting change. All these exceptionally talented professionals came together at the Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications – USAID’s trusted partner in fostering clean energy education and promoting renewables in the region.

The event ignited a sense of sisterhood and solidarity among these energy professionals. Through discussions on global practices, exchanging experiences, and gaining insights into renewable energy projects, the women realized they were not alone in their combined pursuit of gender equality and sustainable energy solutions. Each story contributed to a bigger picture—a story of collaboration, resilience, and determination.

Ogulhan Ernepesova, who traveled from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to join, said she was deeply moved by the camaraderie and knowledge-sharing. As the chief specialist of the Department of Foreign Economic Relations of the State Concern “Turkmengaz,” she found the training especially valuable for developing her management skills.

“I have many new questions to ponder and now realize the need for additional education and reading. The theories of motivation, goal setting, and rules of delegation resonated with me. I am hopeful that this training will become the foundation for the development of my managerial capabilities.” 

Beyond the training and discussions, they had the opportunity to engage in collaborative management training and explore Almaty. As the camp sessions concluded, they visited a wind power plant in Konaev – for many, this was their first practical experience with a renewable energy site. Seeing the wind power plant and meeting with the engineers operating it highlighted the availability of green energy. During the road trip, they shared personal stories and hopes for their children and families, finding joy and wisdom in each other.

Nargiza Nazaralievа, Chairperson of the Gender Council at the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic, recently established with USAID’s support, passionately advocated for women’s collective strength:

“The 21st century is the century of women! Women are now working on an equal footing with men. But the paradoxical opinion of our society is that great things should be done by men, including holding certain positions.”

Echoing her, Takhmina Tilloeva, an assistant at Tajik Technical University, saw the event as a pioneering platform to exchange ideas and experiences between energy sector experts and junior colleagues from different fields.

“The uniqueness of this event lies in the fact that each specialist has their own skills and experiences, whether it is in production or an educational institution, especially in the case of a separate state. This is a big step forward!” says Takhmina Tilloeva, an assistant at Tajik Technical University.

This collaborative platform helped synthesize the beginning of a profound change in Central Asia’s energy landscape. USAID’s efforts to empower women in the sector foster regional cooperation, drive the transition to cleaner energy, and sow the seeds of a brighter future.

These women are now connected by a shared purpose — to empower each other and lead their industry towards sustainability and gender equality. They shared contacts and agreed to meet again, hoping to bring more women in energy together, help them share progress and ideas, and explore Central Asia further.

Their journey continues far beyond as they take the lessons learned and the connections made to illuminate the path ahead, sharing new opportunities. In a world where women embrace each other’s strengths and work together, they hold the power to ignite change and redefine the future.