This forum empowers women entrepreneurs in the transport and logistics sectors, addressing unique challenges faced and offering opportunities for collaboration, resource sharing, and growth. Aizhan Bizhanova, First Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, delivered opening remarks, which underscored women’s vital role in the country’s economic development.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the publication “Strength in Constraint: 33 Narratives of Women Entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan.” The book documents the journeys of 33 female entrepreneurs from diverse regions and industries in Kazakhstan, highlighting their innovative leadership and ability to navigate societal constraints.
“The stories emphasize how empathy and sensitivity in leadership foster trust, collaboration, and inclusivity, redefining traditional notions of success. By transcending societal expectations, these women entrepreneurs gain financial independence, contribute to cultural shifts, and challenge stereotypes in male-oriented organizational cultures. Strength in Constraint serves as both an inspiring collection of stories and a framework for understanding how women redefine leadership and entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan,” noted NURCE Director, NU GSB professor Shumaila Yousafzai.
