For 37-year-old Aydana Abduvalieva, working in the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) has become not just a profession, but a way of life. For nine years, she has been fulfilling duties that require constant readiness for risk, while at home, her two children are waiting for her. At work, Aydana strives to break down prejudices about women in uniform, demonstrating that fragility does not hinder the performance of difficult tasks and that women can successfully work alongside men. In this material, she shares her experiences, the challenges of her profession, and debunks the myth of the "strict woman in uniform," revealing her true essence.
Aydana holds the position of senior officer in the logistics department of the MES of the Kyrgyz Republic. Since childhood, she dreamed of serving her country. After enrolling in the Osh Technological University in the "Ecology and Emergency Protection" faculty, she later joined the MES and began to realize her dream.
"Working in the MES requires immense responsibility. I am proud to wear the uniform, fulfill my duties, and serve the people faithfully. There are moments when it is difficult. We work around the clock: constant calls, shifts... In such moments, my heart is torn between my children and my duty. This separation causes pain, but service demands its own. We, women, cope with this just as well as men do," says Aydana.
In her opinion, working in the MES not only tests one's strength but also strengthens the spirit. There is no need for artificial self-assertion — the system and discipline form inner strength.
"We strictly adhere to the Constitution and the laws of the country, acting within the framework of military regulations. The professionalism of an officer lies in the precise execution of orders. My service in the MES has given me invaluable experience and true friends. But the most important thing is that I have come to understand the true value of life. Every day, facing the fates of Kyrgyzstani people in difficult situations, I realize how essential it is to cherish every minute and the life of every person," she adds.
Previously, Aydana worked in the unified duty service 112 of the Crisis Management Center in Osh. As she notes, this job is particularly challenging for women: household duties take a back seat, and shifts can last for two whole days. There were calls that caused her immense pain, but she had to show resilience and high professionalism.
"During one of my shifts, I was informed that my three-year-old son was missing. He went out to play with a neighbor's boy and did not return. While I was taking emergency calls and was responsible for the lives of others, it was unbearable not to know where my child was. Leaving my post was difficult, but fortunately, everything ended well, and now I have learned to find a balance between motherhood and service," she shares.
In Aydana's life, there have been many moments of choice between family and service, but as she says, all difficulties pass: sadness can be replaced by joy, so there is no place for despair in her life. The main thing is to be resilient and remember that after a dark stripe, a bright one always follows.
"A woman in uniform remains a woman. We value tenderness and need care, just like everyone else. Our service requires us to have special emotional resilience, and sometimes we also need support. Working in the MES has taught me discipline, and I have become stricter in raising my children. But the most important thing is that despite the fatigue, I must find the strength to talk to my child and show genuine interest in his life," she emphasizes.
To those girls who dream of dedicating themselves to service, Aydana advises to study, engage in sports, and not give up on their goals.
"For me, the homeland is primarily home. We are all one big family, and to keep our common home strong, it needs to be loved and protected. I am endlessly grateful to fate for the fact that we have our own land, and my service in the MES is my way of guarding this peace and caring for the safety of our common home every day," she concludes.
Women in uniform are living proof that true strength lies not in physical power, but in the ability to maintain a cool head in chaos and a warm heart in dealing with those in need of help. These women do not just fulfill their duty; they bring a piece of goodness into the world.
