Expanding the narrative of comprehensive security: Shahnaz (Afghanistan), Nailya (Kazakhstan) and Laylo (Uzbekistan)
Shahnaz, Nailya and Laylo are shaping security by integrating gender perspectives into mental health, environmental policy and governance. Through the Young Women for Peace Initiative (YW4P), funded by the European Union (EU), they promote systemic change that recognizes mental wellbeing, environmental sustainability and good governance as keys to achieving lasting and inclusive peace.
For Shahnaz Haidary, leadership means building bridges. Raised as a refugee in Quetta, Pakistan, and later relocating to Kabul, Afghanistan, she witnessed firsthand how gender-based discrimination can limit a woman’s future. Her family’s deep belief in the power of education motivated her to break the barriers. “My mother inspired me to challenge norms and see education as a tool for empowerment. Watching her navigate a male-dominated society with strength and determination was a powerful example of leadership.”
Shahnaz’s academic journey took her from a U.S. Embassy scholarship to a master's degree in business administration, and now, a second master’s in sociology at the American University of Central Asia. In 2023, she launched Good Mental Health, a digital initiative addressing the often-overlooked psychological impacts of conflict, displacement and gender-based violence. Though still in its early stages, the project has already reached thousands through online learning sessions and safe virtual spaces for women.
A passionate advocate for gender equality, Shahnaz sees inclusion as critical to sustainable peace. “When women are excluded from decision-making, peace processes and public life, societies lose half their potential to build inclusive and lasting solutions.”
Joining the YW4P marked a key moment in her leadership journey. “I joined the YW4P to connect with like-minded young women across the region and strengthen our collective peacebuilding efforts,” Shahnaz shares. The initiative equipped her with practical skills in negotiation and strategic communication, but also with something deeper: “It reminded me of the value of regional solidarity and how our diverse experiences can shape more inclusive approaches.”
Through the YW4P, Shahnaz has also refined her leadership style. “It helped me grow as a leader and better understand regional peace dynamics through dialogue and learning exchanges.” Her message to young women is simple, but powerful: “Know your worth and the values you bring to every space. Your leadership is part of a larger movement toward equality.”
Integrating gender justice into climate action
Growing up in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Nailya Mussayeva was raised in a supportive household, but societal expectations still loomed large. “Even with encouraging parents, I was told things like ‘girls don’t need to study too hard,’” she recalls. It wasn’t until she moved to South Korea for university that she began to unpack those experiences. “A professor introduced me to feminism and social justice. I finally had the words for what I had been feeling all along.”
Her return to Kazakhstan after four years abroad marked a turning point. “It was a shock. I saw my environment differently. I realized how much I had changed and I felt a responsibility to share what I had learned.” Rather than working exclusively in the gender sector, she chose to bring inclusive values into the climate field – a space where gender perspectives are often overlooked.
With a bachelor’s degree from Pusan National University and a master’s in international law, she now works at the intersection of climate policy, sustainability and human rights. “My focus is environmental and climate policies with a strong gender lens,” she says.
Joining the YW4P filled a personal gap. “I lacked female role models growing up. Being surrounded by women who understood feminism and even climate activism was empowering.” She was especially moved by how the YW4P embraced inclusion. “When some participants became mothers, the programme adapted to support them fully. It showed us that we don't have to sacrifice one dream for another.”
Today, Nailya writes articles about climate justice, designs educational board games and organizes human rights and climate change training courses. “I’m proud to work independently in a field that reflects my values,” she says. Her advice to other young women is clear and confident: “There are enough opportunities for all of us. Support other girls boldly, it’s always worth it.”
The power of language in peacebuilding
Born in a small town in the Namangan region of Uzbekistan, Laylo Azimboeva grew up in a place where girls’ education was often undervalued. “Most people thought a girl’s future should be about marriage, not education,” she recalls. But her parents believed otherwise. They always said, “Education first.”
Her academic journey took her across borders—from Uzbekistan to Türkiye, Germany and beyond. But her path was not always easy. “As a young woman in a field of international security, I often had to prove myself twice as hard to be taken seriously,” she shares. Rather than backing down, she leaned on her values. “I leaned on my values, stayed focused and always tried to take every setback as a lesson. These experiences helped shape my belief that women can and should lead.”
A turning point came during her time in Paris, working on the EU-funded PROACTIVE project, where she translated complex security data into accessible information for both policymakers and the public. “That’s when I realized how powerful communication can be in building peace,” she says. She brought this skillset to her work in Berlin and Tashkent, helping organizations strengthen governance through better storytelling.
For Laylo, the connection between peace and gender equality is clear. “Women have such important insights and leadership qualities, but for a long time their voices were unheard. That’s changing, slowly. I believe when we invest in girls’ education and let women lead, we create stronger communities.”
That’s why she joined the YW4P Initiative. “I wanted to learn and grow with other young women who share the same passion for peace and gender equality,” she explains. Through the programme, she gained leadership tools and learned to see peace and security through a gender lens. “YW4P reminded me that we are not alone in this work and that young women have a real role to play in shaping the future.”
Today, Laylo is passionate about inspiring future changemakers:” Don’t be afraid to take the harder path. Leadership is about caring, trying and lifting others up. If I could do it, so can you.”
Shahnaz, Nailya and Laylo are among the 18 young women from Central Asia and Afghanistan participating in the Young Women for Peace (YW4P) Initiative, funded by the European Union. As part of the OSCE Gender Issues Programme’s WIN for Women and Men project, YW4P promotes young women’s leadership in peace and security across Central Asia and Afghanistan. This series spotlights their stories, highlighting their contributions and the Initiative’s lasting impact on their journeys.