18 November 2009

From 9-16 November 2009, Rashida Manjoo, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, conducted a visit to the Kyrgyz Republic at the request of the Kyrgyz government. On this official trip, Manjoo visited UN and donor agencies, government officials, shelters for women and children, and a women’s prison, among other locations. She noted that apparent forms of violence against women include “domestic violence, bride-kidnapping, under-age marriages, unregistered marriages, trafficking, polygamy, violence and discrimination against women based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, and violence committed by law enforcement agents.” (UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights) She stated that these forms of violence can result in an increase in “the prevalence levels of violence against women and girl-children, homelessness, migration, the numbers of women being incarcerated for drug-related offences and also for the killing of family members, rates of HIV/AIDS infections, maternal mortality rates, levels and forms of corruption, and impunity for acts of violence against women by both state and non-state actors.” (UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights)

In an official statement, Manjoo noted that the government has taken measures to help end violence against women by ratifying international treaties and is working to integrate these international standards into the Kyrgyz national legal system through legislation and public policy.

Manjoo will soon release a full report to the UN and the Kyrgyz government on her findings, including recommendations on how to better work towards the elimination of violence against women.

Manjoo’s full statement can be accessed in both Russian and English.

Compiled from: UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, "UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women Concludes Visit to the Kyrgyz Republic," (16 November 2009).