Publication

Kyrgyz Republic: Gender in Society Perception Study

01 October 2018

Covering five thematic areas, namely, Violence Against Women and Girls, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Women’s Political Participation, Migration, and Religion, UN Women, as the project’s lead agency, conducted extensive qualitative research through a number of national researchers who were trained in advanced social research methodologies. UNFPA supported the National Statistics Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic in conducting a large nationwide quantitative survey.

IOM, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and many state entities provided substantial assistance in preparing for and carrying out the research.

The purpose of the study was to inform both policy makers and development partners on how to capitalise on the potential of engaging women as change agents and to best facilitate popular attitude and behavior change in support of gender equality and women’s empowerment. Equality is enshrined in the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, and its further promotion will strengthen country-wide peace and stability.

Our research has for the first time confirmed scientifically many previously assumed facts, while also generating a body of new knowledge and broadened understanding of the factors that hinder women’s equal participation in family and public life. Some of these findings were unexpected. All the findings will help state institutions and development partners respectively plan, legislate, programme and implement more effectively, to ensure that women and girls are better protected and enabled to play a full part in building good governance and peace.

Women’s rights are human rights, and prosperity and peace both at home and in the wider society can only be ensured if women and girls are treated with respect, can live a life free of violence and fear, and are perceived as independent actors and agents of positive change. We hope that the GSPS reports will inspire readers to commit to and take action on advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. Original research data will also become available to academia once anonymised. The National Statistics Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic has already published its report on the quantitative component of GSPS.