The Committee welcomed the initiatives taken by the government to address gender-based problems related to health and education, including the National Programme on Overcoming Poverty. It also affirmed "Ayalzat", a program designed to improve the economic and social status of women and advance their role in society. The Committee noted that women's unemployment was high, and that women generally work jobs that receive low wages. The Committee was concerned that polygamy, though illegal, is practiced in some regions, and that bride kidnapping has re-emerged. It also expressed concern that lesbianism is classified under the penal code as a sexual offence. The Committee suggested that the Kyrgyz government actively implement laws regarding polygamy and bride kidnapping and recommended that lesbianism be removed from the Penal Code. It also advised the government to increase its efforts to further the rights of women in employment.
Kyrgyzstan's Second Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is due on 30 June 2005.
Copyright 2003 Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights.
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