National 16 Days Campaign of Activism Against Gender Violence in 2011

The 2011 campaign is held under the slogan From Peace in Every Home to Peace in Kyrgyzstan, reflecting the global theme of the campaign and the priorities of Kyrgyzstan.

2010 was full of events in Kyrgyzstan that affected in many ways the status and the conditions of women. The problem of increasing violence in its various forms is still a particularly serious problem of the state. Violence as a fact, not only undermines the livelihoods of women, but also impairs the safety of society. In the state of the conflict the existing problems become aggravated and more sensitive, as well as reveal the imperfection of the existing systems of assistance and rehabilitation of violence survivors.

The level of family and gender-based violence in the country remains high and the losses it causes do grow up every year (according to the express evaluation carried out in August 2010 in southern Kyrgyzstan by UN Women, the level of different forms of violence had significantly risen, namely physical violence from 7% to 37.7%, psychological violence - from 11.6% to 48.4% with sexual violence growing from 0.4% to 1.2%, and domestic violence from 1.9% to 5%).

The problem of violence against women as a mirror reflects the social and moral environment - and the State's response to such acts against women outside the home as well as within the family, is a landmark for the development of democratic tendencies and becoming a civilized society that recognizes the dialogue as the only acceptable and a decent method of resolving disputes and conflicts. The state's position is extremely vital, and so is the current policy conducted to prevent violence against women.
Every year since 1991, Kyrgyzstan holds 16-day activism campaigns of combating violence against women. For Kyrgyzstan these 16 days of activism is carried out under the auspices of the Global 16 day campaign aimed at joining the efforts of women's networks, peacemakers and human rights activists in ending violence against women, including violence in the armed conflicts.
Traditionally, the campaign starts on November 25 - the International Day of Combating Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10 - the International Human Rights Day. Thus, the 16 days of campaign symbolizes the inextricable link between the promotion of human rights and the eradication of gender violence.

The campaign is a unique opportunity for Kyrgyzstan's activists for joining the global movement and demonstration of solidarity with the world's progressive networks working to eliminate all forms of violence against women.