In Kazakhstan, rural women are forming collectives to improve their livelihoods

Rural women in Kazakhstan, particularly in the southern Jambyl region’s village of Qyzylsay, face severe water scarcity that stems from outdated irrigation systems, dense population and a reliance on agriculture. The shortage forces them to spend many hours each day gathering water for households, gardens and livestock, work that often goes unpaid and unseen. Their remote location limits access to information and government services, compounding the challenges caused by climate change, energy deficits and weak governance.

In 2026, local activist Nazgul Aidabossynova launched a project under the Digital Spark granting scheme and the Regional Support Mechanism EECA initiative, implemented by the Metamorphosis Foundation and TechSoup with CIVICUS and the Digital Democracy Initiative. The effort trains women to engage more effectively with authorities and is shaping a cooperative that will enable joint advocacy, shared learning and the pursuit of funding for smart‑well or shared irrigation infrastructure, aiming to improve livelihoods and reduce the water burden.