Gender assessment analysis within the project “Competitive Enterprise in Kyrgyzstan”

The USAID project “Competitive Enterprise” is a five-year initiative aimed at increasing household incomes in Kyrgyzstan by creating jobs and livelihood opportunities among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This gender assessment was conducted as part of the USAID initiative within the “Competitive Enterprise” project in Kyrgyzstan. The aim of this study is to conduct a gender assessment among the partners supported by the project (SMEs) to evaluate the success of companies’ strategies in job creation in terms of women’s involvement and benefits. The main objectives of the gender assessment are to analyze and understand:

• The level of women’s employment in selected partner firms.
• Equal access for men and women to on-the-job training, skill development opportunities, and other professional development prospects.
• Inclusive practices and policies in the workplace.
• Pay equity.
• Promotion of women into higher positions, including managerial and leadership roles within the companies.

The assessment team developed questionnaires with both open-ended and closed-ended questions, including quantitative and qualitative questions for the ECP-supported partner firms and their employees. The team obtained primary quantitative and qualitative data by conducting surveys both in person and through telephone interviews. The survey covered all participants where the program is being implemented, across all regions of Kyrgyzstan. The data analysis of ECP-related information from partner firms was also conducted to understand specific trends across sectors and compare women-owned enterprises with those not owned by women.

During the gender assessment, existing gaps, best practices, and critical areas for improvement were identified. This will serve as the basis for adapting programs aimed at ensuring a more equitable representation of women as both employees and suppliers in ECP-supported enterprises.