Promoting Gender Equality

As gender equality is key to poverty reduction, UNFPA works to enhance the implementation of existing national laws and policies on gender equality. In this perspective, the Fund builds the capacity of government, parliamentarian and civil society structure in order to ensure the application of gender policies in real 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. However, although Kyrgyzstan possesses the necessary legal basis for gender equality, many forms of gender imbalances remain in reality.

It is estimated that women hold three fourths of all jobs in Kyrgyzstan . However, women earn on average only 65 percent of the wages of men for similar jobs. Moreover, most working women are concentrated in low-paying sectors. Women are underrepresented in public and political life. Not a single woman is member of the new Parliament and very few women hold high-level official positions.

Growing levels of violence against women, and public tolerance of violence, are other indicators of women's increased vulnerability to rights violation. In Kyrgyzstan , up to three thousand women apply every year to a crisis center for gender violence related issues, 50% of which are due to family violence . In addition, occurrences of coercion to marriage through "bride kidnapping" are still reported, despite criminal liability.

Key indicators on Gender

On the ground, UNFPA is.

. supporting government structures, through:

• Policy review, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in cooperation with the National Commission on Family, Women and Gender
• Trainings of senior government officials on gender equality and equity
• Support for the incorporation of gender topics into the national educational system
• Development and implementation of ministerial regulations on gender rights
• Support the development and implementation of gender training curriculum for the judiciary and law enforcement agencies

. supporting civil society organizations, through:

• Trainings for NGO staff on gender equality and equity
• Capacity-building of Community Based Organisations on gender rights
• Grant to a non-governmental legal facility in provinces to provide legal advice on gender legislation and women's rights
• Provision of a legal expert delivering counselling services for disadvantaged women and those subjected to violence

. raising awareness, through:

• Development and dissemination of printed informational materials on gender issues
• Development and broadcast of audio/video materials on gender issues
• Grants for civil society organizations and crisis centres for com mu nity advocacy campaigns

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

In Focus: A key publication - "Women and Men in the Kyrgyz Republic "

Valid, reliable, timely, culturally-relevant and internationally-comparable statistical data is a basis for the development of adequate development programmes. Gender-sensitive data is necessary in order to measure the differences between the status of women and men in all social, political and economic spheres and provide an adequate response.

With UNFPA assistance, the National Statistical Committee issues every year a collection of gender specific statistics in a publication entitled Women and Men in the Kyrgyz Republic. The data, processed according to international standards, is disseminated among state structures, international donors, non-governmental organizations and the media. It has been recognised as a key publication providing a clear picture of the gender situation in Kyrgyzstan.

Approximate annual budget, from regular resources: USD 30'000

If you want to know more about UNFPA action in promoting gender equality globally, check our global website.