Kyrgyzstan’s Disability Violence Challenge

In Kyrgyzstan, women and girls with disabilities face alarming levels of abuse, including rape, beatings, neglect, and humiliation, often perpetrated by family members.

 Despite the government’s commitment to tackling domestic violence, current laws inadequately address the specific needs of this vulnerable group, exposing them to ongoing risks.

The 63-page report by Human Rights Watch, titled “Abused by Relatives, Ignored by the State: Domestic Violence Against and Neglect of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Kyrgyzstan,” sheds light on the pervasive discrimination against people with disabilities in the country, particularly women and girls.

Due to societal stigma, cases of violence often go unreported, and law enforcement and judicial bodies frequently downplay reported incidents. A scarcity of shelters and support services further compounds the challenges faced by survivors attempting to escape abusive situations.

While Kyrgyzstan has made strides in addressing domestic violence and upholding the rights of people with disabilities, two key laws, enacted in 2008 and 2017, lack provisions specifically safeguarding women and girls with disabilities from domestic violence.

However, both laws are currently under review in parliament.

Human Rights Watch conducted interviews with 56 survivors, service providers, community leaders, and experts across three provinces.

The documented cases reveal instances of long-term physical, psychological, sexual, and economic violence, often perpetrated by family members or partners. The report urges the Kyrgyz government to align its legislation with international standards, specifically the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

To address this crisis, Kyrgyzstan must introduce laws that provide adequate protection for women and girls with disabilities, integrating human rights-based approaches to prevention and response.

Training for law enforcement and judicial personnel on recognizing and addressing violence against this group is imperative, as are accessible procedures to ensure thorough investigations and prosecutions.

Moreover, the government should disseminate information on protection from violence and justice in accessible formats such as Braille, sign language, and easy-to-read materials.

 Essential services like shelter, medical care, and psychosocial support must be made available, alongside initiatives promoting education and financial independence for women and girls with disabilities.

International partners are called upon to strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s capacity to combat violence against this group, emphasizing disaggregated data collection and independent monitoring.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The hrw.org