Women in Almaty are boosting their self-confidence and launching businesses at " Bakhti empowerment centers"
In the heart of Almaty, Kazakhstan, the "Baqytty Otbasy" center acts as a hub for empowering local women. Operating in all eight districts of the city, the center has significantly impacted the lives of several Almaty residents, particularly in the Alatau district.
The Alatau center offers women a supportive environment, where they can develop new skills, build their confidence, and ultimately transform their lives. Over 25,000 women in the district have benefited from a wide range of skill-enhancing courses within the past year.
Moldır Zhunisbekova, a resident in Alatau district, is one of the many success stories coming out of "Baqytty Otbasy." With her expertise in sewing, she became a training instructor, imparting skills to around 500 women, of whom over 200 have secured jobs. Her dedication earned her a state grant of 2.5 million tenge, which she plans to utilize in setting up a sewing workshop, providing employment for ten additional women.
Speaking about her future endeavors, Zhunisbekova stated, "Insha'Allah, I aim to open my own business in January. It will consist of three divisions: tailor services, production, and training. I will adopt a unique training method that is yet to be introduced in Kazakhstan."
Widening her horizons beyond a regular housewife, Oksana Kamenskih embarked on her journey to become a successful businesswoman. Winning a 5 million tenge grant under the "Business Roadmap" program within a year, she found her passion in confectionery art. Currently, she is purchasing equipment to nurture her dreams, while volunteering for over two years to extend her support to the broader Almaty community.
Since the beginning of the year, nearly 27,000 women have received much-needed assistance at the center. 300 of these women learned the basics of entrepreneurship and were granted funds to start their own businesses. Undeterred by the pandemic, they actively engaged in various home-based businesses, such as baking, sewing protective garments, and producing masks and slippers. Their monthly incomes ranged from 60 to 280 thousand tenge.
Armed with an unwavering determination, the women of "Baqytty Otbasy" continue to inspire and prove that they can defy adversity and achieve remarkable success. Akmaral Basirova, the head of the Alatau center, expressed her gratitude for the women's resilience: "We witness them constantly evolving for the better. Their spirit of enterprise amazes us. During the lockdown, they continued to bake at home, earn money by sewing disposable gowns, masks, and slippers, and they still managed to make between 60,000 and 280,000 tenge per month."
Under the dynamic leadership of individuals like Basirova, the "Baqytty Otbasy" center stands tall as a beacon of hope and prosperity for women in need. By fostering a nurturing community of like-minded individuals, the center plays a crucial role in empowering women, encouraging entrepreneurship, and promoting gender equality.
- The Alatau center, a part of the Baqytty Otbasy hub in Almaty, Kazakhstan, also offers courses in finance, providing women with the opportunity to understand and manage their personal finances better.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and women's health, the center offers workshops and seminars to educate women about self-care, hygiene, and nutrition.
- For those interested in lifestyle and home-and-garden, the Alatau center has classes on various DIY projects, such as gardening, interior design, and home decoration.
- The Baqytty Otbasy center, beyond empowering women through skill development and entrepreneurship, also emphasizes education-and-self-development, offering courses on leadership, communication, and personal growth.
