Layana Aitkazieva

Layana Aitkazieva is a 28-year-old woman from Almaty, Kazakhstan, who recently changed her name from Ulbosyn, which translates to 'let there be a boy,' to Layana. This decision came after years of discomfort with her birth name, which she felt did not represent her identity. Layana's journey highlights her desire to break free from societal expectations and reclaim her self-worth. Her story reflects the broader cultural context in Kazakhstan regarding gender and names, as she advocates for the right to choose one's name as a form of empowerment.