In less than a century, or within four generations, Central Asian women have experienced three distinct economic and political periods: Russian imperialism (prior to 1917); Soviet collectivization (1917–91); and the post-Soviet transition. For many, the rapidity of societal and political transformation has been so great that no two consecutive generations of Central Asian women share similar political, economic, or social life experiences. For this reason, women, gender, and life cycle must be p…