Many Faces of civil Activism

This pioneering study delves into women‘s civil activism in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, regions marked by socio-political challenges and complex relationships with foreign donors. Despite limited prior research, this first qualitative comparison unveils women activists‘ unique strategies to navigate their environments. It starts with a historical overview of Soviet impacts, followed by the democratisation process and its effects on NGOs. The research highlights the resilience of these activists, balancing local norms and foreign expectations while facing patriarchal and political hurdles. With insights from postcolonial feminist theory, this work advocates for diverse analytical models to understand better the intricate dynamics of women‘s activism in Central Asia.