yousafzais@cf.ac.uk
Research theme:
COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
My research focuses on the empowerment of women entrepreneurs in the community-based tourism sector in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Through three extensive visits to Kyrgyzstan, I conducted interviews and ethnographic research to understand the experiences and challenges faced by women in this industry.
My project sheds light on the transformative potential of community-based tourism for women entrepreneurs. The research outcomes, published in academic journals and a collection of narratives, highlight the positive impact of community-based tourism in fostering women's entrepreneurship. It identifies key factors such as access to resources, skill development, networking, and increased socio-economic independence. The study also explores the influence of gender dynamics, cultural norms, and policy frameworks on women's entrepreneurial ecosystems.
By sharing these stories, my research aims to inspire policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to support gender-aware entrepreneurial ecosystems in community-based tourism. It contributes valuable insights for promoting gender equality, creating supportive environments, and driving sustainable development in the tourism industry of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
My project sheds light on the transformative potential of community-based tourism for women entrepreneurs. The research outcomes, published in academic journals and a collection of narratives, highlight the positive impact of community-based tourism in fostering women's entrepreneurship. It identifies key factors such as access to resources, skill development, networking, and increased socio-economic independence. The study also explores the influence of gender dynamics, cultural norms, and policy frameworks on women's entrepreneurial ecosystems.
By sharing these stories, my research aims to inspire policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to support gender-aware entrepreneurial ecosystems in community-based tourism. It contributes valuable insights for promoting gender equality, creating supportive environments, and driving sustainable development in the tourism industry of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
Together we have it all - Women's entrepreneurship in Kyrgyzstan
On March 23, 2023, Atelier Cauchemar hosted the presentation and photo exhibition of the book “Together we have it all: Women entrepreneurs in Kyrgyzstan’s community-based tourism sector”, dedicated to developing women's entrepreneurship and economic empowerment of women. The book contributes to implementing and promoting Sustainable Development Goals 5, “Gender Equality”, and 8 “, Decent Work and Economic Growth”.
Community-Based Tourism (CBT) is an entrepreneurial activity owned and administered by the local community in the tourism sector. In the last two decades, CBT has developed into a mechanism for facilitating sustainable and socially-inclusive tourism activities in many developing and transition economies, including Kyrgyzstan. The Kyrgyz CBT model, with a sustainable approach, has successfully generated economic livelihoods and reduced rural poverty while also protecting the local environment and cultural practices and providing an alternative income and employment for local communities. In this book, we present a collection of 18 narratives bringing forward the message that CBT not only encourages a deeper connection between the host and visitor but also promotes women's empowerment, cultural conservation, social responsibility, and the enhancement of livelihoods. The project is supported by Nazarbayev University Faculty Development Grant No. 11022021FD2913.
Community-Based Tourism (CBT) is an entrepreneurial activity owned and administered by the local community in the tourism sector. In the last two decades, CBT has developed into a mechanism for facilitating sustainable and socially-inclusive tourism activities in many developing and transition economies, including Kyrgyzstan. The Kyrgyz CBT model, with a sustainable approach, has successfully generated economic livelihoods and reduced rural poverty while also protecting the local environment and cultural practices and providing an alternative income and employment for local communities. In this book, we present a collection of 18 narratives bringing forward the message that CBT not only encourages a deeper connection between the host and visitor but also promotes women's empowerment, cultural conservation, social responsibility, and the enhancement of livelihoods. The project is supported by Nazarbayev University Faculty Development Grant No. 11022021FD2913.
The speakers of the presentation were: Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Associate Professor Bekzhan Meirbayev, Photographer & Visual Anthropologist of Myriad Film & Research Alexander Parkin-Smith, Head of the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Professor Ainura Kurmanaliyeva, Representative of Atelier Cauchemar Aiman Kulzhanova, research fellows of the Nazarbayev University Research Center for Entrepreneurship (NURCE) Amina Chaia and Assel Abdrakhmanova, also Senior Lecturer of the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and Postdoctoral Fellow at the NURCE Nurlykhan Aljanova.
Professor Bekzhan Meirbayev emphasized the peculiarities of cultural tourism in Kyrgyzstan, the role of nomadic heritage, which is the basis of Kyrgyz culture, and the development of tourism in the CIS countries. Next, visual anthropologist Alexander Parkin-Smith described how women entrepreneurs in Kyrgyzstan are brought centre-stage through photographs and written narratives. Using visual methodologies alongside more conventional social research methods, the women’s stories are made accessible to a broad public audience. Finally, researcher Amina Chaia shared her experience writing narratives, conducting interviews, and contacting respondents.
The photo exhibition lasted from March 23 to 24, 2023.
Professor Bekzhan Meirbayev emphasized the peculiarities of cultural tourism in Kyrgyzstan, the role of nomadic heritage, which is the basis of Kyrgyz culture, and the development of tourism in the CIS countries. Next, visual anthropologist Alexander Parkin-Smith described how women entrepreneurs in Kyrgyzstan are brought centre-stage through photographs and written narratives. Using visual methodologies alongside more conventional social research methods, the women’s stories are made accessible to a broad public audience. Finally, researcher Amina Chaia shared her experience writing narratives, conducting interviews, and contacting respondents.
The photo exhibition lasted from March 23 to 24, 2023.
Book launch in Kyrgyzstan
The project "Towards a gender-aware entrepreneurial ecosystem for women’s entrepreneurship: A study of Kazakhstan’s and Kyrgyzstan’s community-based tourism sector." resulted in the release of the book "Together we have it all: Women entrepreneurs in Kyrgyzstan's community-based tourism sector," based on research and fieldwork conducted in Kyrgyzstan.
The research team of NURCE presented their book and held a photo exhibition in Kyrgyzstan from March 17 to March 20, 2023, at the Bel-Tam Yourt Camp, CBT Kochkor, and CBT Arslanbob. Several women entrepreneurs, Community-Based Tourism (CBT) guesthouse owners, yurt camp owners, felt storeowners, and shopkeepers attended the book launch and photo exhibition. They emphasized the significance of hardworking women entrepreneurs in developing regional cultural tourism. In the last two decades, CBT has developed into a mechanism for facilitating sustainable and socially-inclusive tourism activities in many developing and transition economies, including Kyrgyzstan.
The Kyrgyz CBT model, with a sustainable approach, has successfully generated economic livelihoods and reduced rural poverty while also protecting the local environment and cultural practices and providing an alternative income and employment for local communities. In this book, we present a collection of 18 narratives bringing forward the message that CBT not only encourages a deeper connection between the host and visitor but also promotes women's empowerment, cultural conservation, social responsibility, and the enhancement of livelihoods. The stories we narrate in this book recognise, value, voice and celebrate their presence and contribution to their families and the development of Kyrgyzstan's economy, tourism sector and society.
Sharing the results of research with study participants is a crucial step towards empowering the communities that were the subject of the research. It not only ensures that participants are informed about the outcomes of the research they contributed to, but it also provides an opportunity for them to understand the significance and implications of the findings. This knowledge can lead to a sense of empowerment and agency within the community, as it allows them to better understand the challenges they face and to participate in potential solutions. By sharing research results with study participants, researchers can create a more collaborative and respectful relationship with the community they are studying, and contribute to building more equitable and sustainable outcomes for all involved. In addition to empowering the communities being researched, sharing research results with study participants can also help to increase trust and transparency between researchers and the communities they work with. When research participants are informed of the findings and conclusions of the study, they are better able to assess the quality of the research and the credibility of the researchers. This can help to build trust and confidence in the research process and can encourage greater participation in future studies. It is important to note, however, that sharing research results with study participants must be done in a respectful and culturally appropriate manner. Researchers must consider the potential impact of the research findings on the community and ensure that the results are presented in a clear and understandable way. They must also be prepared to engage in dialogue with participants and to answer questions and address concerns. By doing so, researchers can build stronger relationships with the communities they work with and create research that is more relevant, impactful, and sustainable.
The research team of NURCE presented their book and held a photo exhibition in Kyrgyzstan from March 17 to March 20, 2023, at the Bel-Tam Yourt Camp, CBT Kochkor, and CBT Arslanbob. Several women entrepreneurs, Community-Based Tourism (CBT) guesthouse owners, yurt camp owners, felt storeowners, and shopkeepers attended the book launch and photo exhibition. They emphasized the significance of hardworking women entrepreneurs in developing regional cultural tourism. In the last two decades, CBT has developed into a mechanism for facilitating sustainable and socially-inclusive tourism activities in many developing and transition economies, including Kyrgyzstan.
The Kyrgyz CBT model, with a sustainable approach, has successfully generated economic livelihoods and reduced rural poverty while also protecting the local environment and cultural practices and providing an alternative income and employment for local communities. In this book, we present a collection of 18 narratives bringing forward the message that CBT not only encourages a deeper connection between the host and visitor but also promotes women's empowerment, cultural conservation, social responsibility, and the enhancement of livelihoods. The stories we narrate in this book recognise, value, voice and celebrate their presence and contribution to their families and the development of Kyrgyzstan's economy, tourism sector and society.
Sharing the results of research with study participants is a crucial step towards empowering the communities that were the subject of the research. It not only ensures that participants are informed about the outcomes of the research they contributed to, but it also provides an opportunity for them to understand the significance and implications of the findings. This knowledge can lead to a sense of empowerment and agency within the community, as it allows them to better understand the challenges they face and to participate in potential solutions. By sharing research results with study participants, researchers can create a more collaborative and respectful relationship with the community they are studying, and contribute to building more equitable and sustainable outcomes for all involved. In addition to empowering the communities being researched, sharing research results with study participants can also help to increase trust and transparency between researchers and the communities they work with. When research participants are informed of the findings and conclusions of the study, they are better able to assess the quality of the research and the credibility of the researchers. This can help to build trust and confidence in the research process and can encourage greater participation in future studies. It is important to note, however, that sharing research results with study participants must be done in a respectful and culturally appropriate manner. Researchers must consider the potential impact of the research findings on the community and ensure that the results are presented in a clear and understandable way. They must also be prepared to engage in dialogue with participants and to answer questions and address concerns. By doing so, researchers can build stronger relationships with the communities they work with and create research that is more relevant, impactful, and sustainable.