UNODC Marks the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence in Kyrgyzstan 

Since the beginning of 2021, approximately 7,665 domestic violence cases have been reported to have taken place in Kyrgyzstan, which indicates a 30% increase compared to the same period last year. To end violence against women, UNODC and partners conducted several awareness raising campaigns in Kyrgyzstan.

On December 3, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education and Science, Public Foundation “Oasis” and Study Center of Advocates, UNODC brought together 150 school children from Bishkek city and Chui oblast for a discussion on existing forms of violence and actions to be taken to avoid becoming a victim.

 

“It is necessary to increase the intolerance of society towards domestic and gender-based violence, to increase the understanding and awareness on all forms of violence among citizens”, said Mr. Oktyabr Urmambetov, Deputy Minister of Interior of the Kyrgyz Republic. He also noted that “the youth are the future and the hope of the country, which are capable of changing and building a just state”.

Mrs. Jypara Rakisheva, UNODC gender specialist and national programme coordinator said: “UNODC supports the efforts of the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic to prevent early marriage, violence against women and children and will continue to support initiatives to promote the rule of law and prevention of gender-based violence in the region”.

Event participants emphasized that the 16-day campaign is aimed at breaking the silence on violence against children and highlighted the need to spread the information among the public at large. To demonstrate their adherence to the call, all participants including deputy minister of interior participated at the flash-mob and the launching of orange balloons into the sky.

On December 6, on the 10-years anniversary of the establishment of the Kyrgyz Association of Women in Police, UNODC and the Association stand together to remind the public that visible representation of women in police plays an important role in building trusted relations between survivors and police, thus ensuring all cases are reported and investigated.  

“Stopping the violence starts from believing survivors, adopting comprehensive and inclusive approaches that tackle the root causes, transform harmful social norms, and empower women and girls,” stated Colonel Kaana Aidarkul, Head of the Women in Police Association in the Kyrgyz Republic. “We need to apply survivor-centred approach in policing, justice, health and social sectors to end gender-based violence in the country”.

UNODC and the Association shared their statements on the role women in police play to eradicate violence against women and children which will soon be issued on the regional platform of the organization.

UNODC is guided by the Convention on Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Action Platform, various resolutions and decisions of the United Nations General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, and the Commission on the Status of Women to promote and implement gender equality in all areas of its work.

In the new cycle of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022-2025, gender mainstreaming and women empowerment in the fight against drugs, corruption and terrorism are a core priority.

 

 

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