Mission
Bishkek International Women’s Club (BIWC) is a wonderfully supportive social network for expat women living in Bishkek. Our mission is to provide an international community for women to share and enjoy the country they now call home.
We know what it’s like to be new in town, so we seek to offer a warm welcome to expat women arriving in Bishkek, as well as embrace the power of friendship in our existing community. We promote contact between the expat and local women to gain a better understanding of Kyrgyz life and culture. We hold monthly meetings, annual events and parties. We have discounts to the best businesses around town. And we offer smaller activity groups to join, based on individual interests, to help us all get involved in local activities and charities. We have fun and there’s something for everyone!
"There are no Strangers here;
only Friends you haven't yet met."
~ William Butler Yeats
About our Members
The women of BIWC come from all over the world. We have more than 20 nationalities amongst our members along with internationally minded locals from Kyrgyzstan. The club is run entirely by members and couldn’t exist without their dedication.
"Alone we can do so little;
together we can do so much."
~ Helen Keller
History of BIWC
For more than 28 years, Bishkek International Women's Club has been gathering women from all over the world.
Bishkek International Women’s Club has been an active community of expats since the 1996, when there were few foreigners, little infrastructure and people relied on their fellow newcomers for support. Our fledgling BIWC used to hold meetings in the now extinct Fatboys restaurant and met for bridge parties, book clubs and cooking classes at each other’s homes. In 2023 BIWC was registered as a public foundation which helped us gain more recognition and support for charity projects.
Our club has grown but we still have the same goal: to help each other thrive in Kyrgyzstan and to make it a better place for everyone.
"The Greatness of a Community
is most accurately measured
by the compassionate Actions
of its Members."
~ Coretta Scott King
Meet the Executive Team of 2024/25
BIWC is a voluntary and non-profit organization, managed by the Executive Committee who are elected by the club members on an annual basis. Below are the members of our current 2024-2025 Executive Committee.
Elaine Vedrasco
President
As President of BIWC, Elaine serves as the visionary leader and agenda-setter for the Club, chairing its Executive Committee. She is the spouse of the World Health Organization's Country Representative and brings over 20 years of experience in marketing and business development across Australia, Hong Kong, China, Senegal, Myanmar, and Thailand. Her ventures include privately owned businesses in floristry, a modeling agency, seafood export, and real estate. Elaine is eager to contribute her expertise to BIWC and the community in Kyrgyzstan. Passionate about exploring new cuisines, restaurants, and cultural activities, she also enjoys cooking and traveling in her free time.
Mariya Doğan
Vice President
As Vice President, Mariya supports BIWC President in defending the vision and plans for the club, assists in negotiations with BIWC partners. She is spouse of the Ambassador of the Republic Türkiye to the Kyrgyz Republic and has previously lived in Ukraine, the UK, the Republic of Bulgaria and the Russian Federation. She is currently working on her PhD dissertation in American literature.
J J Gurga
Treasurer
As trustful Treasurer of BIWC, JJ oversees the club's finances and management of membership fees. Originally from the UK, she has spent a lot of time travelling around Russia and Ukraine as part of her PhD thesis research. In the UK, JJ was working as a primary school teacher before moving to Bishkek with her husband and son in 2022. Now life has taken a different course and JJ has recently taken up oil painting, something which she has long wanted to try. She is looking forward to starting an art foundation course this year.
Ainagul Dessyupova
PR coordinator and Social Media Management
As PR Manager, Ainagul manages the Club's social media presence, sharing news and events organized or attended by BIWC. She also assists in meetings and discussions with members. Ainagul is the spouse of the Counsellor of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the Kyrgyz Republic. Before moving to Kyrgyzstan, she worked as an English teacher in Astana. She is a mother of two and enjoys learning new languages as a hobby.
Meerim Akmatkulova
Kyrgyz Community Ambassador
Meerim is the BIWC's Kyrgyz Ambassador and our vital link to the local community. She plays an important role in expanding and maintaining our local partner network. She works in the sphere of culture and art and is the curator of Gallery M, one of Bishkek's finest art centres.
Chinara Mambetova
Charity Group Leader
Former diplomat, Chinara has lived in the USA for 18 years and is one of the founders of the Kyrgyz community in Chicago. She is Executive director of the Kyrgyz American Association and founder of the MCB immigration consulting firm. For many years she has been engaged with educational, cultural and charity projects and has brought her passion and dedication to BIWC charity agenda.
Reema Istanbuli
Membership Officer
Reema is a friendly face to look out for in BIWC. She is responsible for warm welcomes, settling in new members, coordinating our ‘buddy’ system, and ensuring we meet our members’ expectations. Reema is Syrian, married to a Japanese and has two young children. Before moving to Bishkek, she lived in the UK, Jordan and Japan. She has a passion for learning languages and has studied Spanish, Persian and Japanese.
Seetha Malik
Activities Coordinator
As Activities Planning Coordinator, Seetha manages the scheduling and communication of Activity Group meetings, as well as updating the monthly calendar. A trailing spouse, she moved to Kyrgyzstan in 2023. Seetha has previously worked as a Human Resources professional and editor of an expat magazine. Fascinated by new cultures, languages, and cuisines, she feels fortunate to have lived an expat life for 17 years and counting.
Our Activities
Creating opportunities for Kyrgyzstan-based Expats, Lovepats and Repats
to connect with others stands at the Core of BIWC's work.
Whether you are looking for new friends,
seeking fun and entertainment,
an occasional nice conversation over lunch,
want to engage in charitable projects or
you are looking for a new hobby.
We do more than just having coffee.
Surely BIWC has something for you.
Monthly Meetings
Our meetings provide a chance to meet and connect with other members and find out about the club's latest projects. Each month we also hold an informative and inspirational talk by a guest speaker.
Activity Groups and Masterclasses
Our members organise regular activity groups for hiking, cooking, career development, wellness, arts and crafts, yoga, a kids club and many other new experiences. Our special masterclasses offer courses directed by experts on art and crafts, self development, horse riding and many other disciplines.
Special Events, Dinner Parties and Balls
BIWC hosts an annual Masquerade Ball, one of the main fund-raising events in Bishkek. There are also Activity Groups for those who like to party and learn about trendy and new locations in Bishkek. Many fun events are organized throughout the year to suit everyone's interests and passions.
Charity Group and Fundraising
Our Charity Club looks for ways to raise money for projects in Kyrgyzstan that need funding. We have supported medical, educational and welfare associations in the past and continue to find new pursuits.
Fashion Show and the BIWC Boutique
Our yearly fashion show opens the stage for new and established Central Asian designers and fashion labels. Our guests enjoy food, wine and the chance to enjoy exclusive items from the designers.
The BIWC boutique is our pop-up store that offers quality pre-loved clothes which get sold or swapped for charity while contributing to a sustainable way of consuming.
BIWC is a registered public foundation connecting and supporting the expat women living in Bishkek.
