COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION: EFFECTS ON THE LIVES OF WOMEN IN KYRGYZSTAN
The collapse of the Soviet Union tremendously affected the lives of people in Central Asia. Transition from centrally planned economy to market economy has been a great challenge, especially for women. One could see many middle aged or mature women doing«suitcase business» with completely unknown people and in foreign regions at the very early years of independence. Some were able to successfully develop their businesses and others lost their homes, families and respect in the eyes of their societies. The article studies the effects of transitional period in the lives of women in Central Asia further focuses how new circumstances changed the status of women in Central Asian in general and Kyrgyzstan particular. The study answers the questions: to what extent the collapse of the Soviet Union changed the lives and status of women and what is the role of collapse on family structure in Kyrgyzstan. Primary sources such as interviews, statistical data and secondary sources such as published books, articles and dissertations are used in the study.