Peaceful march for women's rights held in Bishkek on March 8

The annual peaceful march of women’s solidarity against gender-based violence and discrimination was held in Bishkek on March 8.

More than 500 participants marched to the monument to Urkuya Saliyeva (Fighters of the Revolution). The organizers read out an appeal to the authorities and noted that Kyrgyzstan has been the most unsafe country for women in Central Asia.

«Only 2.5 percent of cases on violence against women were brought to court. Although, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, more than 10,000 facts of domestic violence were registered in 2021,» they noted.

The participants also spoke for freedom from exploitation, from the arbitrariness of the authorities and demanded the introduction of an action plan to eradicate violence. It was also proposed to open crisis centers in each district at the expense of the state.