Ahead of International Youth Day 2025, UN Women shares stories of young leaders from around the world. One of them is Asel Kubanychbekova from Kyrgyzstan, who helps women develop businesses and secure economic rights.
Asel Kubanychbekova is an activist from Kyrgyzstan dedicated to addressing economic inequality and increasing women’s participation in finance and entrepreneurship. She founded the She Starts Foundation, through which over 10 000 women, mostly from rural areas, have gained entrepreneurship skills.
Young women are usually excluded from discussion of finance, investment, and employment. It is not just unfair, it is a lost opportunity, says Kubanychbekova.
To make the change, Asel brought together a coalition of 31 organizations representing 45 000 women across Kyrgyzstan. This coalition proposed a national program to support women entrepreneurs. Because of their work, the law was changed to officially recognize women entrepreneurs and improve their access to funding.
An Advisory Council on Women’s Entrepreneurship was also set up under the Ministry of Economy, which is a big step toward more inclusive policies.
It’s not enough for us just to be heard. It’s time to shape our own future, says Asel.
Asel became one of the heroes of International Youth Day 2025, with the theme Local Youth Actions for SDGs and Beyond. The campaign highlights how young people are driving real change toward a sustainable and fair world.
Other heroes featured include
Natalia Tsuyama from Brazil, fighting for climate justice;
Keitumetse Fatimata Mutloace from South Africa, leading the fight against gender-based violence; and Eva Chisom Chukwunelo from Nigeria, defending the rights of people with disabilities through storytelling and art.
International Youth Day is celebrated every August 12 and focuses on the role of youth in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2025, UN Women is spotlighting youth initiatives that are already making a difference, from climate action to inclusive entrepreneurship.
The organization urges support for youth movements, funding for youth projects, and greater involvement of young people, especially girls and young women, in decision-making.
