Sabrina Muzafari, a young woman from Tajikistan, joined the programme in 2019, eager to challenge herself and learn about glaciers. What began as a quest for knowledge soon reshaped her views on gender equality, science, and her own potential.
From Participant to Instructor
During her first expedition on the Golubin Glacier, Sabrina learned a great deal about glaciology, hydrology, and climate change while facing demanding field conditions — spending nights in a tent and even melting snow to get water. But it wasn’t just the harsh environment that stood out — it was learning about the challenges women face in STEM fields.
“Hearing about the challenges those amazing women scientists face, even in Europe, just because they are women, shook me greatly. I never thought the scientific world still struggled to provide equal opportunities to women,” Sabrina says.
Inspired by the programme, Sabrina’s role evolved. In 2022 she joined the organizing team, and this year, Sabrina returned to the programme as an instructor. Her journey had come full circle, now guiding other young women through the same challenges and discoveries she faced years before.
Coming from Tajikistan, I am very familiar with the challenges young girls face in Central Asia. Joining the instructor team was an opportunity for me to reach more girls like me and assist them on their way to their dreams. As an instructor, I see the greater value of the programme to the Central Asian and global science communities. Adequate gender diversity in science could only improve the quality of research and innovative approaches.
Now pursuing a master's in Remote Sensing, GeoInformation, and Visualisation at the University of Potsdam, Germany, Sabrina credits the 'Adventure of Science' with giving her the confidence to follow her path.
A Programme with a Purpose
The 'Adventure of Science: Women and Glaciers in Central Asia' programme, launched in 2019, aims to bridge the gender gap in STEM and mountaineering by engaging young women from Central Asia in a glaciological expedition. Guided by an all-women team of instructors and a mountain guide, participants gain hands-on experience in scientific research, mountaineering and science communication, as well as develop leadership skills.
Organized by the University of Fribourg with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty, and in cooperation with the Central Asian Institute for Applied Geosciences (CAIAG), the 'Adventure of Science' has grown to include participants from the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
We launched 'Adventure of Science' to address the barriers women face in glaciological studies. For many years, women were often discouraged from participating in scientific fieldwork, told that it was 'too hard' or not suitable for them. This programme was created to change that narrative, and we’re seeing more women from all Central Asian countries not just participating, but also taking on leadership roles as instructors.
Learning in the Field
During this year’s ten-day expedition in Ala-Archa National Park, participants explored the impacts of climate change on the cryosphere, environment, and water resources.
"It’s different from learning from books. Here we observe, touch, experience, investigate, understand, and internalize. It’s a privilege to live and share science like this," explains Laura Niggli, an instructor from the University of Zurich who also contributes to UNESCO’s AF-funded GLOFCA project.
“I was nervous at first, but the team was incredibly supportive and welcoming. Contributing to the participants’ growth has become the most rewarding part of my journey. Having Aizirek, an alumna of the Adventure of Science 2019, join the instructor team at the same time as me was yet another encouragement,” reflects Sabrina, highlighting the sense of community and mentorship cultivated by the programme.
Purpose Beyond Science
The programme continues to emphasize the involvement of Central Asian women in leadership roles, preparing them to take on future expeditions. Workshops, supported by the GEF-UNDP-UNESCO Cryosphere project, have helped local instructors develop their instructing, fieldwork, and project management skills, preparing them to independently lead future expeditions.
The 'Adventure of Science: Women and Glaciers in Central Asia' is not just about glaciers or scientific research. It’s about creating opportunities for young women like Sabrina to learn, grow, and lead, shaping a more inclusive and diverse future in STEM in the region and beyond.
