Promoting Gender Equality

PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY

What is gender equality?

Gender equality means that men and women in society have equal opportunities, results, rights and responsibilities in all aspects of life. Equality between men and women is achieved when there is a total lack of sexual discrimination and when there is equal representation of men and women in political life; when there are equal opportunities for financial independence; when there is equal access to education and the opportunity to achieve their goals.

An important aspect of gender equality is support for women. Great emphasis is placed on exposing and eliminating gender imbalance and giving women a large degree of independence in leading their own lives. Support for women is a key factor in achieving stable development and human rights.

In many countries of the world women still have a low status and this is reflected in all aspects of their lives: from political passivity to domestic violence. In order to bring about gender equality in politics, UNFPA works closely with governments, parliaments and the civil society structures of these countries. The majority of the UNFPA supported projects concentrate special attention on men’s role in reproductive health. The Fund’s projects work with men’s groups – from soldiers to religious leaders – for the achievement of different goals – from AIDS prevention to more active involvement of men in family life.

Situation analysis – A gap between law and reality

The Kyrgyz Republic is one in the top ten countries successfully fulfilling its commitments under the Beijing Platform of Action, one of the most significant international documents for the advancement of gender equality. In 2007 a decree was signed by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic “On a National plan for achieving gender equality in the Kyrgyz Republic from 2007-2010”, a plan of the measures was outlined when is was implemented.

However, although Kyrgyzstan possesses the necessary legal basis for gender equality, many forms of gender imbalances remain in reality.

Growing levels of violence against and sadly public tolerance of violence are other indicators of women’s increased vulnerability to rights’ violation. In Kyrgyzstan three-five thousand women apply every year to crisis centres because of family violence. There are still occurrences of marriage coercion (bride kidnapping), despite criminal liability. Bride abduction as a form of entering into a marriage contract used quite to be quite rare among Kyrgyz people in the past. Unfortunately with time this custom has become more popular and its use has been distorted. Moreover, there have been cases of marriages within the family, parent arranged marriages and widespread early marriages.

Key indicators on Gender in Kyrgyzstan

Source: Kyrgyz National Statistical Committee

Currently in Kyrgyzstan women represent more than 40% of the working population. Nevertheless, women on average earn only three fourths of men’s salaries. The majority of women work in the service sector (health and social services, education, hotel and restaurant business and others) where salaries are significantly lower.

Women are underrepresented in public and political life.

Women hold only 30% of management positions. However, it is pleasing that in the new parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic, formed in 2007, more than a quarter of the deputies are women.

For the advancement of gender equality UNFPA Kyrgyzstan supports:

1.    1. Government structures, through:

-         Policy review, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in cooperation with the National Commission of Family, Women and Gender under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic

-         Training senior government officials on gender equality and equity

-         Support for the incorporation of gender topics into the national education system

-         Development and implementation of ministerial regulations on gender rights and also gender training curriculum for the judiciary and law enforcement agencies

2.  Civil organizations, through:

-         Training NGO staff on gender equality and equity

-         Capacity-building of Community Based Organizations on gender rights

-         Grants to a non-governmental legal facility in the provinces to provide legal advice on gender legislation and women’s rights

-         Providing a legal expert to give counselling services to disadvantaged women and those subjected to violence

3.  UNFPA raises awareness, through:

-         The development and dissemination of printed information material on gender issues

-         The development and broadcast of audio/visual material on gender issues

-         Grants for civil society organizations and crisis centres for community advocacy campaigns

UNFPA Kyrgyzstan also regularly conducts independent monitoring of gender policies and laws.

The activity of many international and social organizations is aimed at resolving gender issues, however UNFPA Kyrgyzstan has taken its own approach to this problem. In 2007 the Fund developed a strategy working with religious associations. Its aim was to raise society’s awareness about gender violence through religious leaders.

The Fund also helps victims of domestic violence, which in the majority of cases are concealed. The victims’ voices should be heard.

In its work with religious associations the Fund has taken an approach, which takes into account the particularities of national culture and traditions. Unfortunately marriages within the family, bride abduction and polygamy are justified in the local culture and the Muslim religion. In Kyrgyzstan a large portion of the population is poor and polygamy is widely practised. Poverty is one of the reasons for this. It is considered prestigious for a girl from a poor family to become the second wife of a rich man. However, children born in unofficial marriages, which are not registered can suffer and be denied their rights.

UNFPA helps countries and people embody global principles through direct action while being sensitive to the culture’s values.

Toraya A. Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA

Excerpt from the ICPD’s Key Actions (paragraph 39) which says that ‘Governments should ensure that the human rights of women and girls are respected, protected and promoted through the development, implementation and effective enforcement of gender-sensitive policies and legislation’, UNFPA Kyrgyzstan advocates a legislative basis for promoting gender equality. In 2007 the fund backed the law “On reproductive rights”, which was acknowledged by parliament and signed by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic K. Bakiev.

Approximate annual budget, from regular resources:  USD 30 000