Monitoring of Violence Against Women at the Local Level

Monitoring of Violence Against Women at the Local Level
Kyrgyz Republic, 2025

In 2025, the Forum of Women’s NGOs of Kyrgyzstan conducted monitoring and assessment of the situation of violence against women at the local level. The study involved 74 women from 6 regions of the country — local council deputies, activists, and representatives of women’s organizations.

The goal of the monitoring was to identify common forms of violence, key barriers to seeking help, and the effectiveness of mechanisms for protecting women’s rights in local communities.
Key findings:
– Violence against women continues to grow steadily, with the overwhelming majority of victims being women.
– The most common forms are psychological and economic violence, which are often not perceived as rights violations.
– A culture of silence persists in communities, based on fear of public condemnation, shame, and traditional norms.
– The response system remains fragmented: women more often turn to law enforcement agencies

Recommendations
For local government authorities:
– include violence prevention in local programs and budgets;
– ensure the effective functioning of committees for protection against domestic violence;
– develop access to psychological, legal, and social assistance, including mobile and outreach services;
– eliminate the practice of referring cases of violence to informal structures.

For women deputies of local councils:
– promote gender-sensitive solutions and publicly speak out against violence;
– initiate regular monitoring and accountability of local authorities;
– raise legal awareness among women in communities.

For women’s organizations and activists:
– develop crisis centers, hotlines, and counseling services;
– combine legal and psychological support with programs for women’s economic empowerment;
– work with communities to overcome the culture of silence and stigma.

Violence against women is a matter of security, human rights, and sustainable development. An effective response is possible only through a comprehensive, cross-sectoral, and gender-sensitive approach aimed not only at responding to violence but also at preventing it and empowering women at the local level.