Azat Toroev ‘14
Project Title: Future Leaders in the Making
Project Location: Tokmok and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
$ 495 in 2015 Central Asia FLEX-Ability Grants
On September 21-25, Azat Toroev ‘14 conducted a series of trainings on women’s empowerment and gender equality in Tokmok for 15 female high school students. Azat, together with the team of nine volunteers and specialists from the Academy of Management and the International University of Central Asia prepared lectures and held activities that taught participants about leadership. Participants learned how to analyze and mediate gender related conflicts and practiced their leadership skills by taking part in debates on gender roles.
One of the main highlights of the training was a field trip to Bishkek during which the students visited offices of American Councils to learn about exchange programs and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to learn about the ongoing gender equality related projects.
FLEX alumni taught the participants project management skills and encouraged them to conduct their own community projects. As a result, three participants implemented in their local high schools a workshops on leadership and civic participation, a debate tournament, and a warm clothing drive for the homeless.
‘This project was meaningful to everyone. It was great to see the girls actively expressing their opinions and becoming more confident. I consider this training to be my best initiative so far!’ says Azat.
