On 27 October, a series of trainings was launched in Chui Province to promote the elimination of discriminatory stereotypes against rural women under the Rural Women Project.

The goal of the activities is to contribute to the creation of greater opportunities for rural women in exercising their rights, to promote the elimination of discriminatory stereotypes against rural women, and to strengthen the capacity of decision-makers and civil society organizations. Residents of Chui and Osh provinces, representatives of state bodies, local self-government bodies and non-profit organizations participate in the activities. In total, it is planned to reach 600 people of whom 200 are decision-makers and 400 are village residents.

The Rural Women Project Manager Damira Bustanova noted that in Kyrgyzstan, almost 65 percent of women live in rural areas. A characteristic feature of rural life for women is gender insensitivity and lack of social focus. “After the trainings are conducted, it is planned to select the most active and initiative women from among the participants as activists at the local level to spread the information and knowledge acquired at the training among broader population, and to increase the number of women applying to Free Legal Aid Centers and Solidarity Buses for legal advice”, - she said. This will help improve legal literacy and awareness of their rights.

Trainings are conducted on the basis of the guidelines “Promotion the elimination of discriminatory stereotypes against rural women” (D. Madalbekova, B. Suyunalieva, 2019) for training specialists of non-profit organizations, officers of state bodies and local self-government bodies and other concerned institutions involved in capacity building of rural women and their rights’ protection, which have been prepared with the support of UNDP and are available on our website. 

According to the data provided in the guidelines, over the years of independence in Kyrgyzstan, the economic activity of women of working age has decreased by 2 times, from almost 80% to 40%. Statistical data confirm the narrowing of women's access to economic opportunities, including entrepreneurship. Unequal position of rural women in the employment sector leads to the problem of poverty and even discrimination with food. Women engaged in unpaid production work and non-working women make up 72% of the total working-age population living below the poverty line.

The trainings are conducted in the form of presentations, mini-lectures, general discussion, brainstorming and group work. The participants divided into groups analyze the reflection of gender stereotypes and select the ways to eradicate stereotypes and their formation.

The Rural Women Project aims to improve the quality of life and expand access to information and legal awareness. The goal of the project is to reduce and eliminate discriminatory stereotypes against rural women. The activities are supported the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs-UNDP project "Towards sustainable access to justice in the Kyrgyz Republic".

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Link for pictures from trainings: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmRRKk7Y