10 November 2009
From 8-17 November 2009, Rashida Manjoo, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women will visit Kygryzstan in what will be the first visit to this Central Asian nation by a UN independent expert on violence against women. The federal government of Kygryzstan invited Manjoo to this mission.
“During my ten-day mission, I will investigate and report on the issue of violence against women in the country, as well as the major challenges to eradicate this form of violence and ensure women’s full enjoyment of their human rights,” Manjoo stated. “I will conduct my mission with a view to identify key forms of violence against women, and contribute to efforts to effectively address such problems.”
Dr. Nurgul Djanaeva, president of the Forum of Women's NGOs of Kyrgyzstan, argues that “the status of women has progressed a bit recently in terms of numbers and percentages especially in political and economic participation, but patriarchal attitudes and institutions and violence against women still persist; there is still much to be achieved in reality.” (AWID)
Compiled from: Women's UN Report Network, "UN Expert on Violence Against Women Undertakes First Visit to Kyrgyzstan," (6 November 2009); AWID Women's Rights, "What is the status of women in Kyrgyzstan?" (4 November 2009).