Confronting injustice and advocating for human rights: Asel (Kazakhstan), Shohista (Uzbekistan) and Zakia (Afghanistan)
The OSCE Young Women for Peace Initiative (YW4P), funded by the European Union (EU), empowers a new generation of leaders across Central Asia. Through this Initiative, Asel and Shohista have strengthened their skills, expanded their networks and amplified their impact. Their work tackling sensitive subjects at the community level, driven by personal experiences and a strong commitment to social change, demonstrates the uplifting power of young women’s leadership in the region.
For Asel Zhatkanbay, studying public law is more than a professional path, it is a personal commitment to justice. Having witnessed violence and abuse in her community, she was struck by the silence surrounding these issues. “That silence pushed me to act,” she says.
Her turning point came at age of 19, when she joined an educational programme, organised by the Kazakhstan Foundation for Cultural, Social, and Educational Development, aimed at empowering young women to lead social projects across different sectors. There, she met her mentor whose authentic leadership and dedication to expanding access to education for girls left a lasting impact. “It was during this period that I first realized I, too, had the ability to challenge injustice and create meaningful, positive change,” she recalls.
In 2021, Asel launched a volunteer-led project: an online video course designed to help parents prevent child sexual abuse. The project featured powerful personal testimonies and reached over 2.5 million people across various social media platforms. “By sharing personal stories from both women and men, we challenged taboos and created an open dialogue around issues long considered too sensitive to discuss,” she shares
Asel’s participation in the YW4P expanded her perspective and helped her to find allies across borders. “YW4P brought sisterhood, practical skills and powerful connections,” she says. “Visiting Kyrgyzstan or Uzbekistan for the first time broadened my worldview and broke down my own stereotypes. This project fuels my motivation.”
Today, her leadership blends legal expertise with empathy and action. “I have come to understand that leadership isn’t the absence of fear, it’s the courage to act in spite of it.”
Where leadership listens first
Growing up in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Shohista Kayumova often questioned why fundamental rights like access to education or freedom from early marriage were treated as privileges. “Getting an education and not being forced to marry at 18 is not luck; it is a basic human right,” she says.
Now pursuing a degree in international relations and preparing for a master’s degree in human rights and sustainability at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, Shohista bring a deep commitment to gender equality. She has hosted a gender-focused podcast, contributed to inclusive media platforms, and led research projects on online gender-based violence.
“I am most proud of creating supportive and inclusive spaces for women in my community – whether that’s through grassroots projects or simple acts of empathy,” she shares.
Shohista’s approach to leadership was shaped by her father, who taught her that true leadership begins with listening and lifting up others. “In a society where power is often seen as masculine and forceful, he showed me that true strength can also be calm, kind, and reflective,” she says.
The YW4P was a turning point in her life: “I learned to be bold, to stop self-censorship and to embrace failure as part of growth. Confidence doesn’t come all at once. It grows when you’re surrounded by people who both challenge and support you,” she says. “The programme gave me tools, but also a renewed sense of purpose and belief that young women, including myself, can shape change, even in complex environments.”
Her message to other young women: “Failure has no gender. Growth looks different for everyone. What matters most is building a culture of solidarity, because real progress happens when we support each other.”
Education as resistance, leadership as a hope
Zakia Alizada is a graphic designer and dedicated advocate for education, youth inclusion and women’s rights. Originally from Afghanistan, she now lives and works in Tajikistan, where she leads initiatives to empower refugees and strengthen peacebuilding.
Her early experiences shaped her strong belief in justice and education. “The deprivation of Afghan girls from education and the closing of schools was one of the most serious crises that made me reflect,” she says. “It motivated me not to remain silent in the face of inequality and to do my best to empower women and defend the right to education.”
With a degree in mathematics and computer science, Zakia combines technical skills with socially impactful work. She co-founded the Youth Committee of the Afghan Women Immigration Council, organising leadership and peacebuilding workshops for young refugees. She also initiated community awareness programmes and helped establish a kindergarten within the Council with support from the OSCE.
Her work has also reached across borders, advocating for Afghan girls and women. “Gender equality is not only a human right, but also a foundation for social stability,” Zakia says. “In Central Asia, women’s participation in peace processes and decision-making can pave the way for a more just, safe and sustainable society.”
Through the Young Women for Peace Initiative (YW4P), Zakia gained new skills and confidence to expand her work. “This opportunity broadened my perspectives, strengthened my professional relationships and increased my motivation to continue working in peace and gender equality,” she says. “I developed stronger communication and facilitation skills and deepened my understanding of how gender intersects with peacebuilding and youth engagement.”
Zakia believes that a stable and peaceful Central Asia must include women’s voices. Her message to other young women leaders is clear and empowering: “Your background does not define your future. Be fearless in using your voice. Every step you take is a step forward for many others.”
Asel and Shohista are among the 18 young women from Central Asia and Afghanistan participating in the Young Women for Peace (YW4P) Initiative, funded by the European Union. As part of the OSCE Gender Issues Programme’s WIN for Women and Men project, YW4P promotes young women’s leadership in peace and security across Central Asia and Afghanistan. This series spotlights their stories, highlighting their contributions and the Initiative’s lasting impact on their journeys.