Contributed by: Alma Yesirkegenova, Kazakhstan National VAW Monitor

In October –November 2006, before the International Campaign “16 Days against Gender-based Violence,” the Crisis Centre “Podrugi” held in Almaty a sociological survey to define the level of population’s awareness on the issue of domestic violence.   

In total, there were interviewed 2,373 persons between the age of 10 and 72 years, including 39 % men and 61% women. All respondents represented 18 various nationalities living in Almaty. As far as social status was concerned, there were 262 schoolchildren, 799 students, 193 housekeepers, 394 workers, 548 civil servants, 77  unemployed, 69 pensioners, and 31 other persons.

The questionnaires were disseminated through district policemen, students of pedagogical college ?2 and staff of the Crisis centre “Podrugi.” Filled-out questionnaires were processed by the staff of Crisis centre “Podrugi.” 

The results of the sociological survey have showed the following: 

• "….73% of respondents have faced the issue of domestic violence.
• 89% of respondents know what domestic violence is.
• 79% of respondents consider  that domestic violence is an actual issue for our city.
• 81% of respondents  believe that Kazakhstan has to approve the Law on Domestic Violence
• 64% of respondents consider that, at present , there are no official mechanisms  to solve the issue of domestic violence …"

Compiled from: Information Bulletin of Crisis Centre “Podrugi” ?7, at 1, 5 December 2006.