Before joining CRISP, Saikal worked for over a decade in Kyrgyzstan’s human rights and civil society sector, with roles ranging from documenting cases of gender-based violence to coordinating national coalitions against torture. Most recently, she served as a project coordinator at the Smart Zharan Association, where she led advocacy campaigns and managed human rights projects aimed at protecting civil liberties and strengthening the rule of law.
With a background in law and journalism, Saikal combines analytical rigor with a strong commitment to storytelling and public engagement. In addition to her professional pursuits, she enjoys singing, delving into psychological theory, and exploring new ways of understanding human behavior.
We’re very excited to have her with us and look forward to learning from her expertise and perspective in the coming months!