“Voices of Herder Women” Consultation Held in Bayan-Ölgii Province

The “Voices of Herder Women” consultation meeting was held in Nogoonnuur Soum, Bayan-Ölgii Province, on 29–30 January 2026, bringing herder women together to discuss their experiences, priorities, and participation in community and decision-making processes.

The consultation forms part of a series of community-based initiatives that will be implemented over a three-year period to strengthen the collective voice, participation, and organising of herder women.

During the two-day meeting, participants reflected on the challenges herder women face in their everyday lives and discussed the barriers that can limit their participation and representation. They also identified priority issues for future collaboration and explored how women can work collectively to bring their experiences and concerns into local decision-making spaces.

Particular attention was given to strengthening herder women’s leadership and meaningful participation, as well as creating opportunities for women to connect, organise, share experiences, and support one another.

The consultation also created a space for herder women themselves to identify the issues that matter most to them and to begin shaping future activities based on their own experiences and local realities.

Through continued organising and collective action, the initiative seeks to strengthen the representation of herder women in decision-making processes and ensure that their perspectives are more visible in policies and discussions affecting their lives and communities.

The “Voices of Herder Women” initiative marks an important step in strengthening connections between herder women and the broader women’s and feminist movement, while supporting their collective voice and leadership at the local level.