A forum was held in Bishkek as part of the international initiative "Ring the Bell for Gender Equality," timed to coincide with International Women's Day on March 8. The discussion focused on serious issues that women in Kyrgyzstan face on a daily basis.
The event was organized by the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange in collaboration with UN Women and gathered participants from the public sector, judicial system, financial market, and international organizations.
Discussing the direction for 2026, experts emphasized women's access to justice as a critically important component of the country's economic prosperity. The panel discussion also candidly addressed issues related to economic, social, and psychological violence, child support enforcement, and wage discrimination. Speakers noted that as long as women are forced to fight for their basic rights and survival after divorces, they cannot realize their career ambitions. Ensuring conditions that protect women from violence and guarantee equal pay with men was identified as an important aspect for the economic development of Kyrgyzstan.
Additionally, participants discussed the phenomenon of the "second shift," where a woman, after finishing her workday, continues to perform the majority of unpaid domestic work and childcare. As speakers noted, this invisible burden creates significant difficulties in the context of limited time and resources needed for women's professional growth and personal self-realization.
The panel discussion included representatives from the Ombudsman's office, FC "Senti," JSC "Eldik Bank," JSC "Guarantee Fund," JSC MFC "Entrepreneurship Development Fund," and ESG CA.
The event was held under the slogan "Rights. Justice. Action. For all women and girls."
The culmination of the meeting was a ceremonial gong strike and the signing of commitments to the principles of women's empowerment between Said Sadik, Chair of UN Women in Kyrgyzstan, and Aichurek Jakypova, Chair of the Board of JSC "Eldik Bank."
