Our People > Tamila Olzhbaekova

Tamila Olzhbaekova

Journalist

Tamila Olzhabekova is a journalist, award-winning illustrator, and a volunteer, curator and event organizer in the DOSTAR diaspora of Kazakhstan organization.
Prior to working for The Times of Central Asia, she has written for Peter Tv, First Line, Five Corners, Sport.Kz, and numerous other publications. A campaigner for interethnic harmony and the protection of stray animals, she studied at St. Petersburg State University.

Articles

Women's rights

8 March Women’s Rights Rally Takes Place in Bishkek

A rally in support of women’s rights took place in Bishkek's Maxim Gorky Square on March 8, International Women’s Day. More than a hundred people gathered at the square, including activists, public figures, and city residents who came to support the initiative. The rally has become one of the traditional events held in the capital of Kyrgyzstan on 8 March. For about ten years, marches and public gatherings dedicated to equal rights and women’s safety have been organized in Bishkek on this day. In previous years, participants more often held marches through the city center. However, this time the authorities allowed the event only in the format of a peaceful rally in the park. Initially, the organizers planned a march, but the gathering ultimately took place in Gorky Square. [caption id="attachment_45112" align="aligncenter" width="225"] @TCA[/caption] The rally began during the day and lasted for about an hour. Police officers monitored public order during the event. Participants gathered in small groups, held posters and banners, and discussed issues related to women’s rights and gender equality. Among those present at the rally were Member of Parliament Elvira Surabaldieva, former ombudsman Atyr Abdrakhmatova, as well as human rights defenders, content creators, and public activists. Representatives of various civic initiatives and activists who regularly take part in similar events in Bishkek were also present. Many participants brought posters addressing themes of equal rights and women’s safety. The signs included slogans against domestic violence and calls to protect women’s rights. Posters traditionally serve as the main visual element of such events, helping participants draw attention to issues of gender inequality and the need to address cases of violence. [caption id="attachment_45113" align="aligncenter" width="225"] @TCA[/caption] Rallies dedicated to women’s rights are held in Bishkek every year on March 8. They usually bring together activists and residents who want to remind the public that International Women’s Day is connected not only with celebrations but also with the historical struggle for equal rights. Despite changes in format over the years, such events remain among the most visible civic initiatives in the capital of Kyrgyzstan focused on gender equality and women’s rights.

2 days ago

Korean Culture

The Influence of Korean Culture on Uzbekistan: Personal Stories and Impressions

From fan meet-ups in shopping malls to Korean universities and supermarket shelves stocked with beauty brands, Korean culture in Uzbekistan has long ceased to be a niche interest. Yet behind bright music videos and conversations about Korean standards lies a more complex picture. For some, it represents a sense of community and part of personal identity; for others, it is a passing trend or even a source of disappointment. How exactly is the Korean wave structured in Uzbekistan, and why is its influence perceived so differently? The answer lies in personal stories and observations. How the Korean “Wave” Is Structured in Uzbekistan When discussing the influence of Korean culture in Uzbekistan, it is important to recognize that this is not a single, monolithic phenomenon. Rather, it consists of several parallel streams that have gradually entered everyday life. These include popular culture — K-pop, television dramas, fan meetings, and new urban leisure formats — as well as consumer practices such as cosmetics, fashion, and gastronomy. Institutional ties also play a role, including language centers, university programs, cultural associations, and humanitarian initiatives. In academic discourse, the concept of the Korean Wave, or Hallyu, refers to the global spread of South Korean cultural products and associated lifestyles beyond the country’s borders since the late 1990s. Mass media, internet platforms, and carefully designed state cultural policy have played key roles in this process. In Uzbekistan, Hallyu has taken on a particular resonance. Here, Korean culture is not merely a trend introduced through new media; it is also part of the country’s social fabric. Uzbekistan has a historically significant Korean community composed of descendants of Koreans resettled during the Soviet period. For many people, interest in contemporary South Korea is therefore linked not only to fashion or pop culture but also to questions of identity, memory, and intergenerational dialogue. Pop Culture and Urban Aesthetics The most visible and widely discussed channel of influence is youth pop culture. It is through this sphere that the Korean wave becomes most noticeable. Researchers in the region describe K-pop as one of the main drivers of Hallyu’s popularity in Central Asia, including Uzbekistan. Interest in music often leads to language learning, the formation of fan communities, and increased online engagement. For many, everything begins with a music video, bright, dynamic, and visually polished. Then come fan chats, dance cover groups, and attempts to analyze song lyrics. Music becomes a form of social glue, bringing teenagers together in Telegram channels, on university campuses, and in shopping malls where spontaneous flash mobs take place. Alongside this runs what might be called the drama channel. Korean television series in Uzbekistan are no longer a niche interest. Academic publications analyze their growing popularity and explore why this format has proven so resilient and widely appealing. The explanation is often found in a combination of emotional storytelling, family-centered plots, and visual aesthetics that resonate with local audiences. Pop-cultural influence does not remain confined to screens; it spills into the city itself. In 2023, Korea...

3 days ago

Healthcare

Psychological Support in Kazakhstan: Growing Demand, Changing Stigma, and the State’s Move Toward Regulation

Just a few years ago, conversations about psychotherapy in Kazakhstan were conducted in hushed tones, as if acknowledging “weakness” or personal failure. Today, mental health is gradually entering the public sphere: teenagers seek support, parents attend training sessions, and adults increasingly view therapy as a practical tool for emotional self-regulation. Alongside this cultural shift, the support infrastructure is expanding. At the same time, the state’s role is growing, with authorities publicly emphasizing quality control, from creating a registry of specialists and setting educational requirements to introducing digital tools for early risk detection in children. Normalization as a New Stage The most significant change in recent years has been in public perception. Psychotherapy is increasingly regarded not as a “last resort,” but as a routine service, comparable to consulting a doctor or lawyer, but focused on emotions and behavior. Seeking professional help is gradually ceasing to signal a crisis and is becoming part of everyday self-care. This shift has been gradual. For many years, the psychological support market developed spontaneously through private practice and online consultations, without unified standards or regulatory oversight. At the same time, public attitudes evolved from caution and stigma in the post-Soviet period to a more pragmatic and open approach to mental health. Changes are particularly visible where access to support has become less accessible. On December 1, 2024, schools introduced a system of anonymous text appeals via QR codes. By February 2025, 25,000 messages from teenagers had been recorded. Similar dynamics are observed at the “111” contact center. While 17,000 calls from children were received in 2024, since the beginning of 2025, 110,999 appeals have been registered, most submitted via QR codes. The increase in these figures reflects not only the scale of existing problems but also a lower threshold for seeking help. When support is accessible anonymously and quickly, teenagers are more likely to take the first step. Simplified access is becoming a key driver behind the emerging “normalization” of psychological assistance. Statistics and Personal Experience: Changing Attitudes Toward Therapy Growing demand for psychological support reflects broader social pressures and the prevalence of mental health conditions. According to the World Health Organization, globally, depression affects approximately 4% of the population, with regional variations. Kazakhstani analytical publications referencing international comparisons have cited comparable or slightly higher estimates, suggesting that depressive disorders may affect up to 4.4% of the population, approximately 732,700 people nationwide. System capacity indicators also highlight pressure on services. Data from mental health centers indicate that more than 300,000 individuals are registered in such institutions. Public statements have drawn attention to staffing shortages among psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. Official workload standards reportedly provide for one psychiatrist (including narcology specialists) per 20,000 registered residents and one child psychiatrist, psychotherapist, psychologist, or social worker per 60,000 people. Children represent a particularly sensitive category. According to data from the Ministry of Health published by Kazinform, 204,408 people are registered with mental disorders (excluding psychoactive substance use), including 44,781 minors. A diagnosis of schizophrenia is recorded for...

1 week ago

Pink Tax

Gender Pricing and Tax Policy in Kazakhstan: Does a “Pink Tax” Exist?

Women often pay more for everyday goods, from hygiene products to personal care services. In public discourse in Kazakhstan, this phenomenon is often referred to as the “pink tax.” But does such a tax exist, or are these differences the result of market pricing strategies? Is a “Pink Tax” Recognized Under Kazakhstan’s Tax Code? If understood literally as a separate levy established in the Tax Code, the so-called “pink tax” does not exist in Kazakhstan. The country’s tax system includes corporate and individual income taxes, value-added tax (VAT), excise duties, social tax, property taxes, and other mandatory payments. There is no gender-based category. In Kazakhstan, the term is generally used to describe a potential “gender markup,” where products marketed to women are priced higher than comparable versions aimed at men, even when their features are largely the same. These differences are most often observed in items such as razors, shower gels, and other personal care products, where variation may be limited to packaging or branding. However, Kazakhstan lacks large-scale, representative studies on the issue. Most claims are based on retail observations and isolated price comparisons rather than comprehensive market research. How Tax Policy Affects Essential Hygiene Products: VAT and the “Tampon Tax” Public debate increasingly uses the term “tampon tax” to describe situations where menstrual hygiene products are subject to the standard VAT rate rather than a reduced rate applied to essential goods. Starting January 1, 2026, Kazakhstan’s base VAT rate increased to 16%. Reduced VAT rates of 5% (from 2026) and 10% (from 2027), apply only to goods and services, including specific medicines and medical devices that meet established criteria. These benefits do not apply broadly to all health-related goods, only to items included in officially approved lists. If sanitary pads, tampons, and other menstrual hygiene products are not included in the approved lists, they are subject to the standard VAT rate, like most other consumer goods. The law does not treat “women’s” products as a separate taxable category. As a result, Kazakhstan does not levy a distinct “pink tax” but applies uniform VAT rules. The broader policy debate centers on whether menstrual products should be classified as essential goods for tax purposes. The social dimension is significant. According to the World Bank and UNFPA, menstrual poverty refers to limited access to hygiene products and related services such as water, sanitation, healthcare, and education. A survey conducted in Kazakhstan by Umai Cup and SOAS (2,116 participants) found that 25% of respondents had no access to hygiene products during their first menstruation, 66% used improvised materials, and 10% missed school due to an inability to purchase sanitary pads. When a recurring monthly product is taxed at the full VAT rate and rises in price along with inflation, the financial burden falls disproportionately on low-income women. For students, single mothers, and mothers of large families, this may translate into restricted access to basic hygiene. Why the “Pink Tax” Has a Greater Impact at Lower Income Levels Even without normative judgments, the economic...

2 weeks ago

Wildlife Conservation

Uzbekistan Strengthens Protection of Argali Sheep and Other Rare Species

Uzbekistan is intensifying conservation efforts in its protected areas, with new data indicating a stable population of its endangered wild sheep, the Kyzylkum argali, in the Nurata State Nature Reserve. According to the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change, the reserve is currently home to approximately 1,700-1,800 argali, also known as Severtsov’s wild sheep. Monitoring data collected in recent years show that the population has remained stable, highlighting the effectiveness of ongoing conservation and protection measures. The Kyzylkum argali is classified as an endangered species. It is listed in the national Red Book, included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, and protected under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which regulates international trade in vulnerable species. As a result, systematic monitoring of the population remains a priority for environmental authorities. Established in 1973, the Nurata State Nature Reserve is located in the Farish district of the Jizzakh region and plays a key role in preserving biodiversity in the Nurata mountain range. A total of 247 animal species have been recorded in the reserve, 31 of which are included in Uzbekistan’s Red Book. Specialists note that the stable argali population is closely linked to broader ecosystem protection measures, strengthened anti-poaching enforcement, and continuous scientific monitoring. Further progress is expected under the national development strategy “Uzbekistan - 2030,” which prioritizes environmental security, expansion of specially protected natural areas, and long-term conservation of rare plant and animal species. Officials state that protection measures for Red Book species will continue to be reinforced, with the aim of sustaining positive trends observed in Uzbekistan’s reserves, including the Nurata reserve, over the long term. The stable argali population in Nurata is increasingly cited by environmental authorities as an example of how consistent policy implementation and institutional oversight can contribute to preserving the country’s natural heritage.

3 weeks ago