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The material posted here was provided to the Division for the 

Advancement of Women by the Government in response to a note 

verbale. It has being made available in electronic format from

the form received. 

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Kyrgyzstan's national plan of action is the Ayalzat national programme. The Ayalzat national programme, which covers the period 1996-2000, reflects the priority areas of the Beijing Platform for Action. The main elements of the Ayalzat national programme were approved in the decree of 6 March 1996 of the President of Kyrgyzstan.

The democratization of public life and State institutions is creating favourable political, legal, psychological, moral and ethical conditions for dignified human development. However, the new economic relations resulting from the transition to a new economic structure, the rapid development of a mixed economy, the accelerating pace of denationalization and privatization of property and the expansion of the private sector of the economy have led to lay-offs, increased unemployment and a decline in the standard of living. The transition to a market economy has left large sections of the population below the poverty line. In these circumstances, women have proved to be the most vulnerable section of the population, and this has led to an invigoration of the women's movement and the formulation of a State policy concerning women.

By presidential decree, 1996 was declared the year of the Woman in Kyrgyzstan, the Ayalzat national programme was approved and the State Commission for the Family, Women and Youth attached to the Government of Kyrgyzstan was established. On 13 May 1996, the Government of Kyrgyzstan adopted resolution No. 212 on the status of women in Kyrgyzstan and measures to assist them in the transition period; on 12 October 1996, parliamentary hearings were held on the current situation of Kyrgyz women. The Ayalzat national programme was prepared by the State Commission for the Family, Women and Youth attached to the Government of Kyrgyzstan, which is the republic-wide executive organ responsible for implementing State policy on the family, women and young people. The integrated plan of measures to implement the main areas of the Ayalzat national programme has 11 sections. The measures envisaged under each section are divided into short- and long-term objectives.

A separate annual plan of measures is being drawn up for each year. The Kyrgyz Ministry of Finance has appropriated 1.5 million som from the Republic's 1997 budget for the implementation of measures under the Ayalzat national programme. An appropriation of 6.23 million som has been earmarked for 1998.

1. Improvement of basic legislation and legal norms

Women's rights are inalienable human rights, which they possess simply because they are human beings. However, there is no modern society in which women have the same opportunities as men. Despite the proclamation of the equal rights of women, equal opportunity in Kyrgyzstan has yet to be achieved.

1.1 Short-term objectives

Improvement of Kyrgyzstan's basic legislation in accordance with the international Convention on the Political Rights of Women and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women:

- Submission of Kyrgyz legislation for an expert opinion on gender issues (see attached list);

- Improvement of the machinery for monitoring observance of the law in cases where women's rights have been violated (forced early marriage);

- Development of women's information networks and gender studies;

- Monitoring of compliance with legislation containing State standards for labour safety and compliance with working conditions for women, as well as annual preparation of information on this issue.

2. Development of an institutional mechanism for improving the status of women

The national mechanism for improving the status of women is the State Commission for the Family, Women and Youth attached to the Government of Kyrgyzstan. The principal tasks of the State Commission are to elaborate and implement State policy on the family and family relations, establish national gender-development programmes and implement the Ayalzat national programme. The measures contained in this subsection are essential for ensuring a vertically structured national institutional mechanism for improving the status of women, that is, one that operates in regions, districts, towns and other populated areas and in enterprises, institutions and other organizations.

2.1 Long-term objectives

- Annual submission of information to the Government of Kyrgyzstan regarding progress in implementing the Ayalzat national programme in accordance with the decisions of the Beijing Platform for Action;

- Cooperation with women's organizations in other regions and republics;

- Participation in international and regional seminars on gender issues;

- Assistance in establishing and supporting women's non-governmental organizations.

2.2 Short-term objectives

- Establishment of Ayalzat women's initiative centres in the six regions of the Republic;

- Organization of guidance and consultative services and provision and preparation of standard reference material to Ayalzat women's initiative centres at the regional and district level;

- Establishment of 50 women's initiative centres at the town and district level;

- Establishment of women's commissions in ministries, administrative departments, enterprises, institutions and populated areas.

3. Women's education and enhancement of their functional literacy

Women's education and the enhancement of their functional literacy presuppose an increase in economic and legal literacy and women's mastery of new information technologies.

3.1 Long-term objectives

- Participation in the implementation of State and national educational, cultural and employment programmes;

- Compilation of a database on women who are actively involved in all walks of life in Kyrgyzstan and on scholars who are contributing to their further growth;

- Organization and carrying out of scientific studies on the status of women;

- Formulation and implementation of a comprehensive programme of social support for female students and student families. Establishment of a fund to enable girls from low-income families to receive an education.

3.2 Short-term objectives

- Establishment of mobile educational and training centres for the functional training of women.

4. Women's health, reduction of maternal and infant mortality

Mother and child welfare is one of the most urgent of women's issues. In recent years there has been an alarming deterioration in the health of the population. The number of disabled persons has increased, and diseases related to social troubles (tuberculosis, venereal disease, alcoholism, drug addiction and substance abuse) are on the rise. Anaemia is fairly widespread among women, and there has been a deterioration in the level of services provided to pregnant women and women in childbirth. Maternal and infant mortality is a serious problem.

4.1 Long-term objectives

- Involvement in the implementation of the national public health programme;

- Fighting alcoholism and drug addiction;

- Prevention of venereal diseases and AIDS;

- Establishment of children's feeding stations and centres for the distribution of donated breast milk;

- Free treatment for handicapped, pregnant, breastfeeding and low-income women (mothers with large families, student mothers, female pensioners, orphans and infants);

- Organization of a medical and sociological expedition to study women in remote areas;

- Monitoring of maternal and child welfare in Kyrgyzstan;

- Involvement of women and children in organized mass physical fitness and health-building exercises;

- Involvement of handicapped women and children in regional and territorial physical fitness and sports activities;

- Organization of holidays for children under 14, mothers with large families, handicapped women, female pensioners and orphans;

- Elaboration of scientifically valid medical and biological criteria for assessing working conditions with a view to identifying their suitability for teenage girls.

4.2 Short-term objectives

- Establishment of a regional maternal welfare centre based on the Osh region maternity clinic;

- Elaboration and introduction of standards for providing general health care to girls and women, taking account of their age and state of health;

- Involvement of non-governmental organizations in carrying out public health activities.

5. Women and the economy, overcoming poverty

Women play a key role in the economy since they are a large source of Kyrgyzstan's labour resources. While the new economic conditions have enabled a significant number of women to find work in the private sector, unemployed women still account for 71 per cent of the total number of registered unemployed. Given that the overwhelming majority of poor people are women, the following measures need to be taken to overcome poverty:

5.1 Long-term objectives

- Provision of employment for women;

- Development of the souvenir and handicrafts industry, creation of additional jobs;

- Promotion of the establishment and operation of non-governmental employment services;

- Provision of free legal consultations concerning hiring and dismissal practices, social guarantees in the event of dismissal, observance of labour legislation affecting women;

- Establishment at employment centres of social and psychological services for unemployed women and women in part-time employment;

- Promotion of female entrepreneurship.

5.2 Short-term objectives

- Organization of a businesswomen's association;

- Preparation of analytical information on the situation of women in the labour market;

- Organization of a women's credit institution;

- Support for low-income and large families;

- Strengthened monitoring of the targeted use of foreign investments;

- Formulation of measures to support single elderly women.

6. Women's participation in decision-making at the political, legislative and executive levels

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to take part in the Government of his/her country. Achieving the goal of equal participation of women and men in decision-making will provide a balance that accurately reflects the composition of society and is needed in order to strengthen democracy and promote its proper functioning.

6.1 Long-term objectives

- Establishing a gender-balanced pool of candidates to fill administrative and diplomatic posts;

- Achieving the target endorsed by the United Nations Economic and Social Council of having 30 per cent of women in positions at decision-making levels.

6.2 Short-term objectives

- Developing and implementing programmes to overcome traditional attitudes and negative stereotypes, and training women to take part in political life and electoral campaigns;

- Establishing a political leadership school for women;

- Taking women's interests into account in the granting of credit, land, and so on.

7. Creation of special support programmes for girls

While Kyrgyzstan has ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, there is still a need to increase and adapt health education and medical services, especially programmes providing primary medical and health care, including sexual and reproductive health services, and to develop quality programmes in the area of health care and education for girls.

7.1 Long-term objectives

- Preparation of the Kyz bala (Girl child) programme to address the problems of girls;

- Ensuring that all girls have access to basic education;

- Adoption of measures to prevent forced marriages of school-age girls;

- Establishment of a special boarding-school for girls with venereal disease who come from disadvantaged families;

- Separate detention facilities for female minors and adults.

7.2 Short-term objectives

- Promoting the rights of girls:

- Gender education programme for tomorrow's women;

- Support for rural girls studying in urban areas.

- Assistance to orphans and disabled children living in foster families.

- Implementation of an integrated programme of measures to provide general education for girls;

- Organization of youth clubs in educational establishments;

- Television and radio programmes for teenage girls and use of other mass media to respond to their needs;

- Prevention of juvenile delinquency among girls.

8. Reduction of all forms of violence against women. Women and armed conflicts

During the transition period, violence against women has been growing. Although Kyrgyz legislation seeks to eradicate violence against women, traditions of violence persist in national stereotypes aimed at ensuring male supremacy. While there are no armed conflict zones in Kyrgyzstan, this problem is one faced by refugees from neighbouring areas (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan) and by families that have lost loved ones as a result of armed conflicts.

8.1 Long-term objectives

- Preparation of measures to prevent crime by women.

- Adoption of measures to guarantee the security and physical integrity of refugee women and to provide them with legal and material assistance.

- Preparation and implementation of measures to promote peaceful conflict resolution, peace and tolerance in society.

8.2 Short-term objectives

- Opening of a centre to provide assistance to women who have been victims of violence;

- Preparation of measures to protect female crime victims and broaden their rights in criminal proceedings and to guarantee compensation for material and moral injury, including the injury caused to women who have been subjected to violence;

- Assisting mothers whose children were killed in the armed conflict zones.

9. Women and the media

During the transition period, the media have been playing a special role in society. The media are the most effective and accessible means of improving the status of women, enhancing the prestige of the family and educating young people.

9.1 Long-term tasks

- Use of the media to promote public awareness of human rights, especially women's rights, in accordance with United Nations conventions and to report on the situation of women, the family and young people, and government policy goals and progress made in their implementation.

9.2 Short-term tasks

- Creation of a new image of woman in the media, culture and art of Kyrgyzstan through the establishment of the Ayalzat public editorial board;

- Expert opinion on gender-related issues in the Media Act; drafting of legislative and standard-setting instruments; effective measures to combat pornography and the depiction of violence against women and children in the media;

- Media support for female entrepreneurs through the creation of a positive image of businesswomen among the general public;

- Educational seminars for women on television and radio to promote entrepreneurship;

- Support for and development of women's publications;

- Special television and radio programmes on sex education.

10. Women and the environment

The environment has a direct impact on human health. Maternal health is a prerequisite for improving the health of children and young people and preserving the nation's gene pool.

10.1 Long-term objectives

- Development and implementation of programmes for the social protection of women and children living in environmentally degraded districts of Kyrgyzstan (Kadamzhai, Aktyuz, Khaidarkan, Min-Kush and others).

10.2 Short-term objectives

- Environmental research and measures to provide assistance to women and children who have suffered the effects of environmental and natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, mudflows and so on).

11. Rural women

Rural women constitute a significant segment of the population. During the transition period, the situation of rural women has been sharply exacerbated by such factors as unemployment and the deterioration of the health care, educational and social security systems. Rural women are therefore in need of constant attention and special support.

11.1 Long-term objectives

- Improvement of multifaceted vocational training for women who intend to engage in farming; training seminars;

- Promotion of small-scale entrepreneurial activity among self-employed women (micro-credit).

11.2 Short-term objectives

- Creation of jobs in agro-industrial enterprises;

- Measures to create income-generating activities for self-employed women.

Annex to the expert opinion on gender-related issues in the legislation of Kyrgyzstan

- Statute on the status of State awards;

- Family Code of the Kyrgyz Republic;

- Additions to the Act on General Principles of Denationalization, Privatization and Entrepreneurship in the Kyrgyz Republic;

- Civil Code;

- Amendments and additions to the Kyrgyzstan Citizens' Pension Act;

- Draft act on freedom of religion and religious organizations;

- Draft act on State guarantees and compensation for individuals working and residing in high mountain regions;

- Criminal Code;

- Draft paid leave act;

- Draft act on amendments to the Act on Election of Deputies to the Zhogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of the Kyrgyz Republic;

- Draft act on the people's legislative initiative;

- Draft act on psychiatric assistance and guarantees of civil rights during its provision;

- Draft housing code of the Kyrgyz Republic;

- Draft act on State youth policy;

- Draft private land ownership act of the Kyrgyz Republic;

- Draft private pension funds act;

- Draft media act;

- Draft act on State guarantees and compensation for individuals working and residing in regions with harsh and unfavourable climates;

- Draft act on national cultural heritage;

- Legal Profession Act.

97.28738 -10-
AO'G

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