Dana Orozkulova Abdulkhamitovna, the teacher, local council deputy, and voice of women in Kyrgyzstan

At just 37 years old, Dana Orozkulova Abdulkhamitovna is not only a teacher in Leylek village – situated more than 800 kilometres from Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek – but also a dedicated local council deputy and a powerful advocate for women’s rights.

In a region where girls are often expected to marry young and give up their education, Dana Orozkulova Abdulkhamitovna has defied expectations. Her journey has been shaped by the inspiring legacies of Kurmanzhan Datka, the legendary Queen of Alay, and Iskhak Razzakov, the visionary political leader who championed education and social justice. Motivated by their courage and conviction, Orozkulova set out to become a leader in her own right.

Today, she stands as a protector of her community, a champion of learning, and a tireless voice for the empowerment of women and girls across Kyrgyzstan.

Dana Orozkulova’s love for reading and critical thinking shaped her ambitions from an early age. For her, teaching was never just a profession – it was a calling. She sees education as a powerful tool to unlock human potential, and she mentors her students with this belief, encouraging them to dream beyond societal expectations and believe in their ability to succeed.

Growing up with her father’s guidance

Dana Orozkulova’s greatest inspiration and unwavering supporter was her father, a devoted law enforcement officer who spent his life helping others. He instilled in her a deep sense of purpose and the belief that she, too, could make a difference.

“My father guided me. His strength, belief in me, and the values he passed down shaped who I am today,” she shares.

The youngest of six siblings, Orozkulova was a spirited and energetic child. Yet, her father never curbed her enthusiasm – instead, he nurtured it. He granted her both freedom and encouragement, constantly affirming her worth and capabilities.

“He always told me that girls are just as capable as boys. I should never feel inferior, and being a girl should never limit what I can achieve,” she recalls.

“He always told me that girls are just as capable as boys. I should never feel inferior, and being a girl should never limit what I can achieve.”

–Dana Orozkulova Abdulkhamitovna

His passing marked a profound turning point in her life. The safe, encouraging world of her childhood gave way to an adulthood filled with challenges. Yet, the foundation her father laid continues to guide her journey, as she strives to uplift others with the same belief and strength he once offered her.

The key influence: Dana Orozkulova keeps her father’s photo on her desk, a constant reminder of the values he instilled in her – strength, perseverance, and the belief that women belong in leadership. Photo: UN Women/Danijel Rakić.

The struggles of a woman in leadership

“When she began her teaching career, her ambition was met with skepticism. Many questioned whether a woman could truly make a difference. As she rose from teacher to local council deputy, the resistance intensified but so did her resolve.”

She saw firsthand how early marriage, financial struggles, and conservative norms forced many girls out of school. Education was the key to breaking these cycles, but convincing her community was a battle.

“In our society, many strong women remain in the background. There are women who are more educated and articulate than I am, but they stay silent. My goal is to bring these women forward, encourage them to speak up,” she says.

Her rise to leadership was anything but smooth.

“I didn’t just become a deputy or a leading teacher by chance. I walked a difficult, rocky road – where I stumbled, where the ice was too slippery. No one reached out to help me,” she recalls.

A classroom with purpose: Standing in an empty classroom during the summer break, Dana Orozkulova Abdulkhamitovna reflects on her lifelong commitment to empowering students through education. Photo: UN Women/Danijel Rakić

From the school classroom to the local parliament

Dana Orozkulova’s boldness and refusal to accept distorted truths caught the attention of her community.

“One day, while I was home, my grandmother came and said, ‘Three or four people visited me today. They want you to run for Parliament. They will support you and do the campaigning for you,’” she remembers.

With a basic phone, she recorded a campaign video, speaking directly to her community about the importance of women in leadership.

On election day, Dana Orozkulova left her fate to the voters. She appointed her sister as an observer and spent the day outside.

“In the evening, the results were announced. My sister came running out, shouting that I had received the most votes, even more than the men. The very men who doubted me had been proven wrong,” she recalls.

As a newly elected deputy, she felt unprepared but determined. Soon after, she was appointed chair of the budget committee. Night after night, she pored over financial reports, determined to master the role. Her hard work paid off – not only she did grow into the position, but she also earned the respect of her male colleagues.

From tradition to transformation

Dana Orozkulova Abdulkhamitovna used her position to push for concrete reforms. She partnered with UN Women and other organizations to provide education and leadership training for women.

Bridging past and present, Orozkulova Abdulkhamitovna embraces her role in the local council, building on the legacy of Kyrgyz women leaders. Photo: UN Women/Danijel Rakić

“Together with women, we hold community hearings, budget discussions, and regular training sessions. Women who once stayed silent now express their opinions and participate,” she says.

Her most significant achievement was advocating for the Sazim Training Center, a dedicated space for women’s education.

“For the first time, we have a training center for women. Before, our meetings were held in fields, under trees, or in random halls. Now, we have a space of our own – where only women are present, where they can speak freely,” she says.

Courses include psychology, leadership, and digital literacy – essential tools for empowering women.

“Five years ago, people didn’t even know what a training center was. Now, women come to study not just psychology but computer skills. This has brought great benefits to the villages in Leylek,” she explains.

Yet, as digital access expands, so do the challenges. She has seen firsthand how the online space, meant to empower, can also be a place of harm.

“I see a lot of violence against women on the internet; it saddens me. I don’t say that all Kyrgyz men are like this, but seeing how some women are treated makes me wonder why such treatment is given to women.”

Through her role in local governance and establishing the Sazim Training Center, Dana Orozkulova empowers women to take an active role in decision-making while ensuring they gain essential digital skills. By bridging the gender gap in technology and leadership, her work advances women’s participation in public life and access to technological opportunities. It aligns with the “Full and equal decision-making power” area of the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, a voluntary, action-oriented platform to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 2030 Agenda.

A success story in the making

Dana Orozkulova’s impact is unmistakable. Today, she is one of the most respected figures in her village, not only among women but also among men.

“Now, after seeing my work as a local council deputy, the men in our community have started to support and appreciate women in this role. They realize that women deputies are effective and should be supported,” she says.

“To all the women of Kyrgyzstan, I wish you happiness and success in achieving your goals. May you never be left behind or remain in the shadows,” she emphasizes.

“To all the women of Kyrgyzstan, I wish you happiness and success in achieving your goals. May you never be left behind or remain in the shadows.”

–Dana Orozkulova Abdulkhamitovna

Through her leadership, Dana Orozkulova has transformed perceptions – empowering young girls to dream beyond traditional household roles. But for Orozkulova, success isn’t measured by recognition. It’s defined by the legacy she leaves behind.

“Life is brief. I see it this way: we only have three days – yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Yesterday is gone, today I am here, and tomorrow might not come. If you achieve your dreams within these three days, you will have lived a fulfilled life,” she reflects.

Dana Orozkulova Abdulkhamitovna’s journey is far from over, but she has already made history. In a society that once resisted women in leadership, she has proven that change is possible – and that the next generation of women will not have to walk the same rocky road alone.

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This story is a part of the Beijing+30 regional communications campaign ‘Unstoppable’, aimed at marking the 30^th commemoration of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The views expressed in this story are those of the protagonist and the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.