Local Organizations Provide Help to Survivors of Gender-Based and Domestic Violence with Support from USAID

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The CSOs took action to help victims across the country as a response to the rise in domestic violence across the Kyrgyz Republic during COVID-19 related lockdowns.
The CSOs took action to help victims across the country as a response to the rise in domestic violence across the Kyrgyz Republic during COVID-19 related lockdowns.
NGO Open Line

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

More than 1,500 survivors of domestic and gender-based violence received social and psychological support from civil society organizations (CSOs) funded by the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Jigerduu Jarandar project. The CSOs took action to help victims across the country as a response to the rise in domestic violence across the Kyrgyz Republic during COVID-19 related lockdowns. The CSOs presented the results of their emergency support projects at a conference titled “Combating Gender-based and Domestic violence during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Local Committees for Prevention of Domestic Violence, Achievements and Lessons Learned, which also marked the beginning of the United Nations’ “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” international campaign.” 

These grants from USAID enabled eleven civil society organizations to provide shelter services, hygienic kits, food packages, monetary assistance, and psychological support to survivors and those in vulnerable households. In addition, this funding is assisting new government-initiated Local Committees on the Prevention of Domestic Violence, which provide support to free legal aid centers, as well as the “111” hotline operated by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development. 

“In the next four years, USAID, through the Jigerduu Jarandar project, will continue supporting the efforts of civil society and the Kyrgyz Government to improve Kyrgyzstanis’ access to social support and legal services, especially for victims of gender-based and domestic violence.” said Dr. Alder Bartlett, Acting USAID Mission Director, in her remarks during the conference.

Since June 2020, three of the eleven CSOs: Abiyir El (Issyk Kul region), DIA (Osh region), and Women Support Center (Chui region) have concluded their projects. They directly supported 776 persons and 136 vulnerable households. Other organizations are expected to complete their projects in the coming months. Overall, these eleven organizations have already helped 1,580 survivors of gender-based and domestic violence. 

According to the Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies, during the lockdown related to the COVID-19 outbreak, incidents of gender-based and domestic violence increased in the country by more than 60 percent compared to the same period the previous year. 

For more information please contact Dinara Akmatbekova, USAID’s Jigerduu Jarandar Project, dakmatbekova@fhi360.org, +996 550206652.