History

In the first ever joint Central Asia regional working groups on Digital Trade and Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE), hosted by CLDP, the idea of a Union to unite Women's Business Associations across Central Asia was born. This came out of grassroots connections between meeting participants, who had the desire to work together to make change happen. 

At the Regional Women's Summit, organised by USAID Trade Central Asia in conjunction with CLDP, the first Memorandum of Understanding was signed between four organisations representing women entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. This formal agreement was the next step in the realisation of a united front to represent women in Central Asia.

During the Business Forum as part of the USAID Future Growth Initiative, as well as discussing important issues of education and capacity building for women entrepreneurs, the Union members were able to lay the foundations for future work; its function and role, how to represent women, how to add value, and the importance of unity and cooperation in women's entrepreneurship in Central Asia.

Within the CLDP and the WAGE (Women and Girls Empowered) Consortium regional conference, it was possible to finalise the membership of the Union. Now the Union included all 5 countries of Central Asia and included 6 strong, member-based organisations.  Within the conference it was proposed that the Union take a leading role in the formation of the Regional Women's Business Agenda, recognizing the importance of grassroots movements.

Just 4 months after the idea was conceived, the Union officially approved the mission, strategy, membership, spheres of operation, activity plans. Signed off by all 5 countries and 6 members, with a united voice and vision, the work of the Union was launched.

The Union of Women's Business Associations - Central Asia is the authoritative voice representing women across the region. The work of Union is focused on bringing women together, forging connections, driving trade and ensuring that women are at the forefront of cooperation in Central Asia.  As such the full programme of activities for 2023 reflects the desire for change, action and impact.