UNFPA and UN Women with the support of Swiss Government, European Union and United Nations joint Spotlight Initiative carried out a gender rapid assessment to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the livelihoods of women and men in the Kyrgyz Republic. 

One of the objectives of this study was to examine the general context, and how the epidemic and measures taken by the country's authorities affected women and men, especially vulnerable groups, such as women living with HIV, the elderly, women survivors of violence, women entrepreneurs and ethnic minorities.

Assessment showed people’s awareness, their source of information and preparedness for the pandemic. According to the data from the analysis, people aged 18-45 learned all the basic information about quarantine and the situation in the country through social media, people aged 45 and above - through radio, television and newspapers. Women survivors of violence were getting the information through SMS and only 3.5% of them were able to prepare for quarantine. Women living with HIV learned all the information from their friends, family and their community, while ethnic minorities and women entrepreneurs through official government sites.

The study also reflects recommendations for state authorities, at both central and local levels, civil society organizations and international organizations.