Graduation event of the Women’s Leadership Academy held in Dushanbe
The Civil Society Initiative (CSI) at the University of Central Asia successfully held the graduation and final event of the Women’s Leadership Academy (WLA) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, bringing together participants and partners from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The two-day gathering took place on 20–21 June 2025. The event brought together over 60 participants, including WLA fellows and mentors from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, as well as invited guests from civil society organisations, development partners, and the media.
The event marked the culmination of a five-month programme aimed at fostering women’s leadership across Central Asia through education, mentorship, and regional collaboration.
"I am grateful to the Women’s Leadership Academy, the Project Director Aizharkyn Kozhobekova and her team, as well as the mentors, for the opportunity to gain invaluable knowledge that contributed to my leadership growth and personal transformation," shared WLA graduate Nazgul Abdykerimova from Kyrgyzstan.
The first day of the event was held at the National Library of Tajikistan, where participants engaged in a series of inspiring sessions and group discussions. These included reflections on the outcomes of the Academy, panel sessions on breaking barriers in male-dominated sectors, achieving work-life harmony, and building resilience in civic spaces. A keynote presentation on Positive Deviance offered innovative leadership approaches that challenge social norms and promote inclusive change.
Mentors shared personal stories and lessons from their leadership journeys, while participants took part in peer-to-peer activities and collaborative group work that fostered exchange and mutual support.
On the second day, participants visited local initiatives as part of a study tour, providing real-life insight into community engagement and leadership in action. The day continued with interactive sessions and networking activities, creating space for reflection and future planning.
"Although our training at the Women’s Leadership Academy lasted only five months, we built strong bonds with fellow participants and even planned joint projects. The graduation event with mentors and guests was a true celebration—full of networking and a warm atmosphere. I’m proud to be part of such an inspiring network where we can share ideas and grow together," said Nasiba Karimova, a WLA graduate from Tajikistan.
The event concluded with a festive certificate ceremony and gala dinner, officially recognising the achievements, growth, and dedication of the WLA graduates.
Throughout the two days, participants revisited key learning modules of the Academy—Leading in Our Context, Leading for Impact, Leading with Balance, and Leading with Support—reinforcing the values of inclusive, ethical, and community-driven leadership.
The Women’s Leadership Academy is more than a training programme—it is a platform for long-term transformation and regional solidarity. Graduates leave not only with enhanced leadership skills but with meaningful connections, renewed confidence, and a shared commitment to shaping positive change in their communities.
CSI, with support from the Government of Canada-funded regional programme, Foundations for Health and Empowerment Education (F4HE), and the Advancing Gender Equity through Civil Society (AGECS) project, launched the Women’s Leadership Academy (WLA), which includes in-person and online courses, a mentoring programme, and other activities. The WLA has been successfully implemented in five East African countries—Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Uganda—and in two Asian countries—Afghanistan and Pakistan. In Central Asia, CSI introduced and implemented the WLA in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
