Traditions Altered by Conflict: Women’s Challenges and Initial Moves Toward Peace in Border Regions

More than a year has passed since the bloody conflict on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border. Last year, as a result of armed aggression, 63 residents of Kyrgyzstan were killed and more than 138 thousand people were forced to leave their homes. There were also losses from Tajikistan.

Since then, the two countries have been in constant negotiations to clarify the border, and a number of protocols have been signed. But it remains unclear how the negotiations are progressing due to the secrecy of the border delimitation and demarcation processes.

Armed conflicts: Past and Present

Throughout its independent history, Kyrgyzstan has faced numerous border conflicts involving neighboring countries such as Kazakhstan, China, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Official reports indicate that since 2010, Kyrgyzstan has faced 363 border conflicts.

Recent years have witnessed an overall decrease in the total number of border conflicts. However, despite this decline, the count of armed conflicts specifically between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan has surged. For instance, from 2019 to the present, there have been 30 armed clashes along the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, triggered by disputes over contested land, water, and pastures.

The escalation in armed confrontations led to civilian homes near the border being set ablaze, compelling entire village populations to evacuate.

Similar circumstances were prevalent in both April 2021 and September 2022. According to official information, every fourth resident of the Batken region was forced to evacuate due to the armed conflict in September 2022. Most of them were women and children.

Residents of Arka Village: «Our only wish is for peace…»

In the region of Batken, near the border, over ten villages have felt the impact of conflicts, including the village of Arka.

Presently, Arka enjoys a serene atmosphere. The residents are relieved to return to their routines, and normalcy has returned to the streets.

Gulayim Dobutova, a 24-year resident of Arka, voices the collective desire for peace among the villagers.

«Our village suffered numerous shellings during the conflicts, resulting in the destruction of homes and the tragic loss of young soldiers and civilians. The memories of those days still cause us pain. Presently, there’s news of ongoing bilateral negotiations. We ardently hope for a swift resolution to the issue without any further bloodshed,» expressed Gulayim.

Gulayim’s sentiments echo through every villager’s words, offering a shared hope for peace. Particularly, the grandmothers tirelessly wish for «only peace» to prevail.

Border Conflicts and Women’s Roles

Gulayim Dobutova and her husband are parents to three daughters and a son. Their second daughter, Aidai, aspires to become a doctor in the future. Nonetheless, Gulayim emphasizes that they are fully prepared to support Aidai even if she chooses a career as a border guard.

«My daughter Aidai, currently in 6th grade, is incredibly bright and dreams of becoming a doctor. Naturally, we respect her aspirations. Yet, we sometimes wonder, ‘Wouldn’t you like to become a border guard or work in the military?’ we wish for her to contribute here, aiding the people in border regions,» shares Gulayim.

In Kyrgyzstan, the engagement of women in addressing border conflicts and involvement in peacebuilding processes remains limited. This is largely due to the scarcity of women holding significant government and military positions in the country.

Statistics reveal that only 25% of influential political and specialized roles in Kyrgyzstan are occupied by women. 

Notably, there is a lack of women in leadership positions within the security and border services of Kyrgyzstan.

Reports from Open Democracy suggest that gender inequality and entrenched patriarchal norms in Kyrgyzstan hinder women’s participation in matters of peace and security.

Additionally, economic factors exert a substantial influence on these circumstances.

Particularly in rural areas, women encounter numerous challenges in securing employment and attaining a steady income.

Gulayim Dobutova, a resident of Arka village, recognized the necessity of creating job opportunities for women following repeated border conflicts. She firmly believes that the economic stability of women plays a crucial role in their ability to endure stress and overcome adversities.

«Life along the border is never easy. The constant fear of potential harm to our homes or children weighs heavily on us. However, for me, the words ‘they escaped after conflict’ is incredibly difficult. We could have relocated to a more tranquil place after the conflicts. But this place is our home, the very birthplace we cherish. We’re determined not to abandon this land. On the contrary, I envision the enhancement of job opportunities and better living conditions in our village of Arka. Rural areas, especially, lack sufficient job prospects for women. It would significantly benefit us to create more opportunities for them, as women play a pivotal role in maintaining our boundaries. Without their contribution, sustaining life here for men alone would be quite challenging. That’s why women need to exhibit strength,» Gulayim emphasizes.

Driven by these convictions, she actively engaged in diverse workshops and embarked on the journey to establish a workplace. In 2021, Gulayim participated in a UN initiative aimed at fostering peace and bolstering women’s potential. Together with her team, they secured a grant, marking their initial step towards launching a small business venture.

«Two years ago, our team, composed of village women, attended a UN workshop where we gained invaluable insights into attaining economic stability. We called our team ‘Intymak’ and, following the workshop, submitted a project proposal to the UN. Our proposal focused on establishing a bakery to uplift the economic standing of women in our village. The UN endorsed our project, supporting us in acquiring the necessary equipment. Four out of six women had never been employed before. Initially, we commenced operations from home, crafting and vending baked goods for both festive occasions and daily consumption: samsa, kattama, and bread,» Gulayim recalls.

She continues, «When fellow villagers lauded our efforts, saying, ‘You’ve done an incredible job!’ we felt elated that our endeavor was thriving. Soon after, we secured a spot in the market and made the move. However, as we were setting up and commenced operations, a conflict erupted, resulting in a devastating fire that consumed everything.»

The turning point towards achieving the ambitious goals set by these women occurred during the conflict in April 2021. When the women who had evacuated the village returned, they found nothing but the ashes of their bakery amidst the charred ruins.

It is crucial to note that women are frequently compelled to relocate during times of war and conflicts, significantly worsening their socio-economic circumstances.

«After the distressing incident of the bakery burning down, I felt disheartened. Yet, I reached out to numerous sources seeking guidance on how to rebuild. The Aigul Japarova Foundation then provided assistance to procure new equipment, enabling us to reopen the bakery under the name ‘Ready Baking Basket.’ We extended invitations to women and girls who were without employment in the village, and now, everything is back on track. We are operational,» Dobutova explains.

Within this modest space, culinary delights such as samsa and kattama are prepared for various occasions and feasts.
Kanykey, one of the women employed at the bakery, underscores the significance of these job opportunities, particularly for single mothers.

«As a single mother, I’ve been working here for almost a year. While job opportunities in the village are scarce, the number of women eager to work is growing. I believe this trend will continue,» Kanykey remarks.

In essence, women are striving to achieve economic stability today, even when they might not actively partake in government decision-making or peacebuilding processes.

Drivers wearing headscarves or how traditions are changing

Contrasting with other villages across Kyrgyzstan, border villages are witnessing various transformations.

Notably, in the village of Arka, there has been a significant increase in the number of women driving cars, a departure from traditional norms embraced by the community.

Jamilya Maratova, a resident of the village, took the initiative to encourage her daughter-in-law, Dzhazgul, to learn driving. She highlighted several reasons behind this decision.

«My son and daughter-in-law have five children. Due to my son’s frequent work-related travels to Bishkek, Osh, and sometimes to Russia, there were moments when no one was available at home who could drive the car. This concerned me. In the event of border conflicts, my children and I might have to evacuate. So, I suggested that my daughter-in-law learn to drive. She swiftly acquired the skill and now operates a car,» explains Jamilya.

Village residents view this decision as a response to a practical need. The ability of women to drive provides a sense of security in uncertain times, particularly during border conflicts.

While the engagement of women in cross-border matters and peacebuilding processes remains relatively low, changes that positively impact the status of women are becoming evident in border villages.

What Makes Women’s Role Crucial in Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding?

As per the United Nations, women globally engage in various roles within peacekeeping, serving as both military and civilian personnel.

It has been underscored that the involvement of women in peacekeeping operations plays a pivotal role in facilitating the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the establishment of a more secure world.

Chinara Abdyraimakunova, the coordinator of the «Women’s Pillar of Peace» project and a gender expert, emphasizes the significance of women’s involvement in peacekeeping processes in Kyrgyzstan for the promotion of peace within the country.

«Our findings indicate that women residing in border-adjacent villages possess a deeper understanding of the culture, traditions, and lifestyles of neighboring countries due to their daily interactions with residents. Additionally, women tend to approach problem-solving in a more gentle and diplomatic manner compared to men. This tendency can be attributed to what is often described as a ‘maternal instinct.’ Women recognize that if conflicts escalate, their children would be the primary sufferers, motivating them to favor a peaceful resolution.»

Chinara Abdyraimakunova emphasizes  that to enhance women’s engagement, the primary focus should be on cultivating their leadership qualities.

“In order to enhance women’s engagement in peacemaking processes, it is crucial to establish an environment that facilitates their involvement in state-level decision-making. The limited political activity of women in Kyrgyzstan is a significant factor that directly influences various domains. Additionally, there is a need to focus on fostering the development of leadership qualities among women and girls.”

Consequently, numerous organizations urge Kyrgyzstan to prioritize actions that bolster women’s potential and actively work towards enhancing their involvement in these critical peace-building efforts.

Author: Guliza Urustambek kyzy

This material was created as a component of a fellowship provided by Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law, and Development (APWLD) on the topic of Media and Visual Journalism Fellowship on Militarism, Peace and Women’s Human Rights.