31 October 2002

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev has presented national UN Volunteer Maluda Tynaeva with the "Dank" award, Kyrgyzstan's highest state medal given to nationals and foreigners who have excelled in public service and have made substantial contributions to the country's development efforts.

The longest serving UN Volunteer in the country, Ms. Tynaeva has been working since 1997 with the Participatory Poverty Alleviation Programme, an initiative funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV).

In a ceremony attended by diplomats and senior government officials on 26 October, President Akaev recognized the work of Ms. Tynaeva in combating poverty and improving the well-being of rural women. Among her diverse tasks, she trained women and strengthened their capacity in income generating activities, particularly in the preparation of business plans and processing of agricultural products for the market.

"UNV's contribution to poverty alleviation in Kyrgyzstan is overwhelming," said Jerzy Skuratowicz, the United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative, in his congratulatory message. "[UN Volunteers] are serving in far remote areas of the country, working with communities to enhance their skills and abilities for self-reliance."

In addition to her training activities, Ms. Tynaeva also promotes local volunteerism in the communities in which she works. She has mobilized 37 community volunteers who are actively working in target communities within the framework of the Poverty Programme.

As a result her of achievements in promoting the role of women in decision making and socio-economic empowerment, two women beneficiaries in her target villages received international and national laurels for their dedicated service to women's work: Ms. Minavar Salijanova of Madi village was awarded the "Dank" medal last year by the President for her distinguished service in promoting women's affairs in Madi village; and in October 2001, Ms. Maimambu Tashiba received the Women's World Summit Foundation's "Prize for Women's Creativity in Rural Life" at a ceremony in Geneva.