Hi! My name is Aizirek. I am 21 years old and I am from Kyrgyzstan. I am a physical and sexual violence survivor, feminist, and human rights activist. And finally, I am just a human who wants to live a safe life. Recently, after 4 rejections from other universities, I was accepted to Leiden University (bachelor's degree: Liberal Arts and Science programme, major in International Justice, minor in Gender equality), which is one of the top 130 universities in the world. Unfortunately, I can't afford to pay financially for my tuition fee, therefore I am asking for your help. Since 2017, I have actively engaged in volunteering and feminist activism. In 2024, I took a significant step by establishing one of the pioneering media initiatives in Kyrgyzstan Erkin Kyz Koomu . The primary aim of this initiative is to talk about feminism in the Kyrgyz language and provide support to girls from Kyrgyzstan in their educational pursuits. Through this platform, I sought to draw public attention to the daily challenges faced by women in Kyrgyzstan, while fostering a safe community that encourages self-realization and sisterhood among girls. One of the project's distinctive aspects is the inclusive approach I adopted by assembling a team of girls from diverse remote regions of the country. This approach ensures that every voice is heard, thereby addressing women's issues comprehensively. Currently, the team comprises more than 20 active volunteers from all regions of Kyrgyzstan who conduct workshops at local girls' schools. Furthermore, we organized the first educational camp “Kurmanzhan” for 15 girls in the field of science. Over three days, we facilitated workshops on a range of topics, including university preparation and mental health. I am proud to say that the project continues to thrive to this day. Additionally, I created intersectional feminist comics in the Kyrgyz language, which tell the story of three girls and explore themes of gender stereotypes, sexism, sisterhood, and girls' courage. In my country, we continue to witness cases of women being kidnapped for forced marriages, femicide, and widespread harassment in educational and work environments. These issues severely violate the rights of girls and contribute to their deteriorating conditions. I decided to fight these challenges, and I embarked on a professional journey as a lawyer, delving into national and international law. I want to study at Leiden University because I want to gain enough knowledge to become a feminist lawyer. I aspire to contribute to the development of gender-sensitive legislation not only in Kyrgyzstan but on a global scale. Thank you!
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