Municipalities promote family values as part of 16-day campaign against gender-based violence

DECEMBER 12, 2022 – More than 1000 people attended cultural events dedicated to fighting gender-based violence in 21 municipalities across the Kyrgyz Republic. Local governments announced a drawing contest among school children and hosted theatrical performances focused on domestic violence. The events were supported by USAID’s Successful Aimak project as part of the global campaign titled “16 days of activism against gender-based violence”. The events were organized in cooperation with target municipalities in Jalal- Abad, Issyk-Kul, Naryn, and Osh oblasts.

Drawing contest titled “My happy family moments” encouraged the local communities to share most pleasant minutes with their family members and contribute to promoting family values. Winners of the contest were awarded with memorable prizes for diligence, promoting family values ​​and expressing a voice against violence.

Municipalities in Naryn and Issyk-Kul oblasts also hosted a theatrical performance titled "Shabdali Gulu" (“Peach flower”) by well-known playwright Zhumabek Osmonov. The play compares the human relationship to the fragile peach’s flower that can be easily destroyed if one does not take a good care of it and talks about humanity, the relationship between people and generations.

Attending one of the events, Director of the USAID Mission in the Kyrgyz Republic Ms Kaya Adams noted that promoting family values and raising awareness about the need to eliminate all forms of violence, especially against women and girls, improves the quality of lives for all members in the community.

Head of Zhoosh Aiyl Okmotu Tillabayev Jyldyzbek, one of the partner municipalities, said: “We have to try to make this world a better and brighter place for everyone. We can do this when we are together and unite for one common cause!”

Municipalities also placed posters and distributed orange (color of the campaign) bracelets informing people about the 16-day campaign’s history, goal, forms of violence and where victims can turn to if they need help.

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The USAID’s Successful Aimak 2 Project is a four-year program implemented in partnership with the Development Policy Institute across Osh, Jalal-Abad, Issyk-Kul, and Naryn oblasts aimed at improving the well-being of citizens in 50 municipalities by improving the quality of public services provided by local governments. Learn more at www.fb.com/SA2Project.