OSCE supports training on traditional felt making for rural women in the Aral Sea region

On 25 September 2021, the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan concluded a six-day training course on traditional felt making for rural women in the Aral Sea region of Kazakhstan, in Aralsk city, Kyzylorda province.

The event was organized together with the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) and the Public Association "Aral ayelderi" ("Women of Aral").

The training course provided 13 participants with theoretical and practical knowledge in creating products from felt raw materials. They were also familiarized with the properties of wool and technologies for making felt, and ways to ensure sustainability while pursuing craft-making. After the training, participants were able to create their own felt products.

As a follow-up event, the same group will be trained on the basics of starting and running a business and on the foundations of time and finance management.

The event is part of the Programme Office's longstanding efforts to promote gender mainstreaming and economically related empowerment initiatives for women as a means to promote comprehensive security, stability and sustainable development in the host country.