Central Asia is home to many inspiring women who lead active lives, succeed in their professions, and still make time for beauty and health. We will tell you about just 50 of them.
Elnura Osmonalieva
Entrepreneur, director, and head of the Bilimkana public foundation. She launches schools where the educational process focuses on instilling a sense of self-worth in children.
Zhlydz Osmonalieva, @zhyldyzosmonalieva_official
Singer, Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic, founder of the "Mentor" Development Center, where students are taught national culture, learn about outstanding Kyrgyz figures, and pass down Kyrgyz culture from generation to generation.
Aydai Ismailova, @aidayi
CEO of Technopark Coworking, former CEO of the largest coworking space SmArt.Point. Aydai is an active runner, a member of the J-run club. She has run four marathons: in Stockholm, Seoul, Bishkek, and Berlin.
Dilnoza Umirzakova, @dilnozaumirzakova
Designer, founder of the ANOR brand, mother of four, chairwoman of the Young Designers Council of Uzbekistan. She develops the ANOR SCHOOL and Uzbekistan Fashion Week projects.
Nadira Kasymova, @nadirabegim_kasymova
Entrepreneur, founder of UFC Gym Kyrgyzstan, World Class Bishkek, Beauty Spa by World Class. She is developing the fitness industry in Kyrgyzstan, opening new clubs, and promoting fitness culture among locals.
Victoria Novichkova, @viktoriyanovichkova
CEO of Freedom Mobile, Freedom Drive. Victoria is developing Freedom Mobile, which aims to become one of the leading smartphone distributors in Kazakhstan.
Aseliya Kupuyeva, @kupuev.academy
Co-founder and director of Kupuev Academy. Her school operates on a full-day format: children come in the morning for lessons, followed by extracurricular activities.
Yulduz Mavlyanova, @yulduz_mav
Entrepreneur, founder of La Sposa and M.Y. Signature Bride brands. Yulduz raises children and develops the wedding business in Uzbekistan.
Ayzhan Dzhumanalieva, @aijan.djumanalieva
Lawyer, founder of Legal Hub. As an expert, Ayzhan works with NGOs and international companies, participating in events aimed at supporting women.
Liliya Shakirova, @officialshakirova
Athlete, MMA fighter. Liliya has participated in tournaments organized by UFC, FNG, and WLF.
Amina Mirsakieva, @dr.amina.mir
Scientist in R&D in the optics industry. Amina worked in a polymer synthesis lab and participated in NASA projects. She also runs a YouTube channel, where she discusses modern scientific achievements, does reviews, and fact-checks.
Olesya Tishkova, @olessya_tishkova
Director of the Pre- and Postpartum Care Center "Zhemchuzhinka." This space focuses on women’s care, providing postpartum assistance, guiding women during childbirth, helping to choose doulas, and educating on postnatal recovery.
Maria Agapova, @mma.mashka
Mixed martial artist, UFC fighter, and the first Kazakh woman in the UFC. Maria competes in the flyweight division. She has fought 14 times and won 10.
Alina Kim, @homm9k
Blogger, influencer. Alina has more than 48 million followers on TikTok worldwide. She often participates in various environmental, wildlife, and animal protection projects.
Damel Mektepbaeva, @damelmektep
Biotechnologist, innovator, and educator. Damel studied at NASA University, specializes in innovation management, and works as vice-rector at Kozybayev University.
Charos Kamalova, @charosd
Founder of the "Teplo" project in Uzbekistan. The market is focused on developing the creative industry and helping city dwellers discover Uzbek brands that align with modern trends.
Maria Portnova, @vmchocolaterie
Chocolatier and founder of Viva Maria chocolaterie. Maria opened the first chocolate workshop in the capital of Uzbekistan and holds masterclasses on confectionery craftsmanship.
Elena Sparks, @yelenasparks
Organizer of Women’s social networking, @wsnuz. The community helps women connect and solve communication issues with each other and themselves. They organize educational programs, motivational meetings, and charity projects.
Sabina Temiraliyeva, @sabinatemiralieva
Blogger, founder of the first macaron shop in Bishkek, @macaronnaya_bishkek. In three years, Sabina has grown her bakery brand from a 35-square-meter studio to a factory, working with all major companies in Kyrgyzstan.
Jamal Zhanybek, @jjams_
Blogger, Product Manager at YouTube. She graduated from UC Berkeley, works on increasing YouTube’s user base, runs marathons, and blogs to motivate thousands of young women.
Aysuluu Tynybekova, @tynybekova.aisuluu
Athlete, two-time World Champion in wrestling. Aysuluu competes in freestyle wrestling and holds three Asian Championship titles and medals from the Asian Games.
Valentina Shevchenko, @bulletvalentina
UFC Flyweight Champion, 11-time Muay Thai World Champion, three-time Kickboxing and K1 World Champion, and two-time MMA World Champion. Valentina was named Fighter of the Year 2022 by the World MMA Awards.
Jannat Atabaeva, @jannata_atabaeva
Director of the Jannat Accessories showroom network. The brand is a leader in handmade jewelry and shawl production in Kyrgyzstan.
Akinai Emilova, @akinai_emilova
Entrepreneur, founder of ABM salon network and Akinai Wedding Salon. Akinai balances her role as a successful businesswoman and mother while also running a school offering courses in makeup, tattooing, and hairstyling.
Cholpon Ulambekova, @ulambekova
TV presenter, founder of the OITO educational academy. Cholpon runs an Instagram blog and teaches public speaking.
Diana Voit, @diana_voit
Athlete, CEO of LA LETTY studio network. Diana’s project operates in Almaty and Bishkek, with five laser hair removal centers. She also founded the Fixletty massage salon.
Dinara Ruslan, @dinaruslan00
Entrepreneur, CEO of Codify. Dinara’s project is a socially oriented IT company with three areas: Codify Academy, Codify Consulting, and Codify Solutions.
Zhansaya Abdumalik, @zhansaya_abdumalik
International Grandmaster, president of the Chess Federation of Almaty. She became the first female Chess World Champion in Kazakhstan.
Khusnora Shadieva, @khusnorik
Blogger, singer, actress, and TV presenter. Khusnora hosts the morning show Ertalabdan Salom, raises her son, and studies Event Management at MGIMO.
Ruhsora Mirjalilova, @ruhsoraemm
Influencer, singer. Ruhsora created one of the first TikTok houses in the CIS called "Limon." She sings, acts in series, and writes a book.
Diora Usmanova, @diora_u
Designer, founder of the Bibiona Couture brand and a network of luxury restaurants. Diora is a mother of four, runs a business, and volunteers with the Bright Future organization, supporting children and the elderly.
Yulduz Rajabova, @yulduzrajabovaofficial
Theater and film actress. Yulduz has appeared in many music videos, popular Uzbek and Turkish films and TV shows. She starred in the Oscar-nominated film Two Thousand Songs of Farida.
Asal Saparbaeva, @_littos
Multiple-time champion of Uzbekistan in artistic gymnastics, medalist of the Asian Games and World Cup. Recently, Asal joined the Uzbekistan national breakdance team. She also runs a blog and performs in the circus.
Nafisa Imranova, @zhiwj
Designer and founder of the brand ZHIWJ. The brand's collection features no identical dresses; each outfit is unique and made as a one-of-a-kind piece. The designer presents her work at fashion weeks worldwide, introducing audiences to national culture.
Zulaykho Mahmadshoeva, @zulaykhoofficial
Singer, known by the stage name Zu Zu. The artist records songs with traditional Tajik motifs and rhythmic pop music, popular not only in Tajikistan but also abroad.
Shabnam Surayo, @shabnamsurayoofficial
Singer, whose work is followed by fans in Afghanistan and Iran as well. The musician’s Instagram blog has 1.5 million followers.
Umeda Parsaeva, @umedaparsaeva
Entrepreneur, bodybuilder, designer, model, singer. Umeda runs the Fashion Boutique Charme, officially represents the Paese cosmetics brand in Tajikistan, and runs a blog on Instagram.
Shoira Pulatova, @showshotime
Blogger, influencer. Shoira was one of the first to organize popular blogger events in Tajikistan. These events vary in scope, from charitable and commercial to small, intimate gatherings.
Diana Kamaladin, @kulakeyeva
Co-founder of the agency Qamalladin Media, CEO of the Charity Wish Tree Foundation. Diana works on the development of Qamalladin University, is pursuing a PhD, raises a daughter, and runs a family business with her husband.
Saltanat Kazybayeva, @sakonya
Director of the corporate fund "Courage to Be First," race director of the "Almaty Marathon." Saltanat is an active sportswoman, participates in Ironman events, and has earned titles in various international running and triathlon competitions, as well as in powerlifting, bench press, and deadlift championships in Almaty and Asia.
Nurilya Barpiyeva, @nurilya_barpieva
Co-founder of the startup NBFit, blogger. Nurilya is also a women's health expert with over 15 years of experience. The influencer's startup helps women keep their bodies in shape and recover quickly postpartum.
Karina Oksukpaeva, @oksukpaevak
Blogger, founder of the "Topim Zhir" project. Karina raises two boys, runs a personal blog on Instagram and TikTok with a multi-million audience, and has several businesses.
Yenlik, @yenleak
The artist became part of the new wave of Kazakhstani music and inspired many young artists to start their careers. Her track "DOP" on Spotify has gathered nearly one million downloads.
Elena Rybakina, @lenarybakina
Tennis player, athlete. Elena achieved a sensational victory in the Wimbledon final by defeating the world No. 2 Ons Jabeur from Tunisia. The Kazakhstani also set a record at the 2023 Australian Open, serving 54 aces in 7 tournament matches.
Bibisara Asaubayeva, @bibisarachess
Chess player, two-time world champion. Bibisara entered the Guinness World Records as the youngest chess world champion in history. She also holds the title of the best female chess player in Asia in 2021.
Sanira Madzhikova, @sanira.neobis
Programmer, founder of the Neobis programming club. Sanira's project is a youth-driven organization developing Kyrgyzstan in the fields of information technology, innovation, and education.
Leila Kodzhakhmetova, @lili_liili
Singer. Kazakhstani artist Liili's track "Hot" has gathered over 4 million downloads on Spotify and has become a platinum single. The single video has been shared on social media by internationally famous models like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Kim Kardashian.
Tota Smatova, @tota_smatova
CEO of CheckDoc. This is a digital laboratory where you can order tests with just a few clicks. The MedTech startup, at the intersection of technology and traditional business, solves the problem for people who can't or don't want to take tests in laboratories.
Ulpan Ramazanova, @uraganroxy
CEO of Tanym Pro, which translates from Kazakh as "knowledge." Ulpan also runs a blog and teaches at the modern profession school "Curator."