An annual peaceful march of women’s solidarity against gender-based violence and discrimination will be held in Bishkek near the Sports Palace on March 8. The feminist movement 8/365 reported.
According to representatives of the movement, the number of cases of harassment against women in public places is growing in Kyrgyzstan. But the police and the courts do not properly respond to such crimes.
«The wage gap between men and women is 30 percent. Due to the lack of pre-school education institutions, women are forced to stay at home with their kids or work remotely and carry a double burden. The law on gender equality does not work. There are only two women among the ministers,» the organizers of the march said.
Representatives of the movement recalled that there is not a single woman leader in 7 regions, 40 districts, 32 small towns and 453 rural areas. Human rights activists also demand criminalization of violence against women, to open crisis centers in every region, and stop pressure on freedom of speech.
Recall, unknown people attacked participants of the feminist march on March 8, 2020. The police arrived at the scene, but they began to detain not the provocateurs, but the participants themselves. They were fined, accused of violating public order. The activists filed a lawsuit. They sought justice for a year. In February 2021, the Bishkek City Court overturned the decision to impose a fine in the case against one of the detained participants of the march for women’s rights on March 8, 2020. In 2021 and 2022, peaceful marches took place without incidents.
