UNRC statement on the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

Friday 25 November 2022

Bishkek, UN house

Women in Kyrgyzstan have always been active at all levels.

They have strengthened peace, responded to numerous emergencies through women-led networks, ensured social cohesion and equality, advanced economic development, whilst often being caretakers for children, the elderly, or the sick and disadvantaged.

Women leadership in Kyrgyzstan has deep roots, evidenced in many epic poems as well as in the country’s modern history, featuring numerous women leaders who made indelible contributions to the country’s development through building state institutions and strengthening open society, ensuring economic well-being of their families including during challenging times of political and sociology-economic transformations or conflict, as well as championing progress through diplomacy, science, technology, and culture.

Sadly, women and girls however continue to be the target of gender-based violence. While harming their health in numerous ways, often with long lasting effects, violence prevents women and girls, as well as men and boys when affected, from fully participating in the society and from living up to their full potential. It impacts entire families, their community, and the country at large. It has tremendous costs, from greater strains on the country’s health care system to legal expenses and losses in economic productivity.

 

And today, 25 November, on the first day of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence against women and girls, I call on all people in Kyrgyzstan to unite and team up against this  pandemic of violence an, instead, preserve, protect and strengthen the role of women and girls, cherishing the traditions of strong women leadership:    

We need vigorous national action plans to end the violence against women and girls, strong public campaigns that reject violence, better access to protection and justice for survivors of violence, and closer engagement of women in decision-making at all levels with strong and vibrant women’s and girls’ organizations.

The United Nations are committed to supporting you in putting an end to this abhorrent human rights violation - gender-based violence. 

And only with a whole-of-society support - the full attention and readiness of the entire population - we will be able to put an end to this scourge, once and for all.