"A Generation of Equality Stands Against Rape." 16-day Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence Launches in Kyrgyzstan

November 22, 2019

A snapshot from the upcoming comic book on gender-based violence

In three days, a 16-day campaign against gender-based violence towards girls and women starts in Kyrgyzstan. This year's campaign is focused on rape at the global level. The UN Development Program in the Kyrgyz Republic joins the campaign and conducts several events in the regions and capital of Kyrgyzstan. The campaign will begin on November 25, the International Day of the Elimination of all Forms of Violence Against Women and will last until December 10, International Human Rights Day. This relationship is explained by the fact that violence against women is a direct violation of human rights.

“Sexual violence against girls and women is rooted in centuries of male domination. And let's not forget that the issue of gender inequality, which fuels a culture of rape, is essentially an imbalance of power”- Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General.

The issue of rape is acute in Kyrgyzstan, as in many developing countries. According to the Medical Demographic Survey, one in four women aged 15–49 years has experienced physical abuse at least once since the age of 15; 4% experienced sexual abuse, and 14% experienced emotional abuse caused by their current or ex-husband (partner).

More than half of women who experienced physical or sexual abuse indicated that they had received physical injuries. At the same time, only 2 out of 5 women sought help after experiencing violence.

UNDP in Kyrgyzstan has been implementing a comprehensive program to prevent and eliminate gender-based violence in the country for several years. Recently UNDP introduced courses on the prevention of gender-based violence in the curricula of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and its units and a lot of educational events are being held among the population. As the largest intervention of the Program, we can single out the support of the Jogorku Kenesh in the adoption of several law bills that empower women.

This year, the following events are planned as part of the campaign by UNDP and its partners (with the support of UNDP):

  • A technical knowledge exchange on police training strategies to support victims of gender-based violence with Dr. Lee of the Korean Police Academy of Investigation and Ms. Sonong from UNDP in South Korea, Bishkek;
  • Exhibition "Feminnale" on economic freedom of women, Bishkek;
  • Press conference on the launch of an online course on gender-based violence for law enforcement officials, Bishkek;
  • Theatrical production “One Day and a Whole Life” about domestic violence and its consequences with the participation of Zhamal Seydakmatova, Batken;
  • Round tables on the role of women in biodiversity conservation related to the SDGs, Toguz-Toro region;
  • Launching a video on gender-based violence, including sexual violence;
  • Launching an e-book with comic books about domestic violence.

Support the campaign and speak up about this topic with hashtags:

#OrangetheWorld, #GenerationEquality, # 16Days