The organization notes that Kyrgyz authorities have taken some measures over the past year to protect the rights of women with disabilities and combat violence. However, experts emphasize the need for more effective actions from the state to ensure protection from abuse.
Synat Sultanalieva, a Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch, stated: “Women and girls with disabilities still face distrust, their voices are not heard, and they cannot access the justice system adequately in Kyrgyzstan, despite legislative changes.”
A study conducted by the NGO Equality in March 2025 found that nearly 93% of surveyed women with disabilities experienced various forms of violence. The study involved 150 women from seven regions of the country.
Of these, 140 respondents reported psychological violence, 80 reported harassment, 70 reported financial difficulties, 60 reported physical violence, and 40 reported sexual violence.
However, only eight women sought help from the police or medical institutions. The main reasons for this are distrust of law enforcement, lack of information about their rights, fear of public condemnation, and concern for their own safety, especially if the violence is committed by a family member.
In February 2025, the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, signed amendments to the Criminal Code that introduce stricter penalties for sexual violence against people with disabilities. Disability was recognized as an aggravating circumstance, and provisions allowing the release of convicted individuals for such crimes from imprisonment were abolished.
In August of the same year, the Law on the Rights and Guarantees of Persons with Disabilities was adopted, which adapts national legislation to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Throughout 2025, the Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic conducted training workshops for law enforcement and judicial system staff aimed at improving access to justice for women with disabilities.
Discussion Topics
Women with Disabilities: How Double Discrimination Affects the Rise of Violence
Despite the steps taken, human rights defenders emphasize the existence of serious problems. For example, statistics on domestic and sexual violence in the country do not account for cases involving victims with disabilities. Additionally, many courts and police stations remain inaccessible to people with disabilities — only about 25% of buildings in Bishkek have ramps, according to a conducted study.
Human Rights Watch urges the authorities of Kyrgyzstan to take real actions to ensure the implementation of the adopted laws and to eliminate existing barriers that hinder access to justice.
“Recent laws passed in Kyrgyzstan demonstrate that success can be achieved when authorities listen to human rights defenders. It is important that these are not just symbolic gestures. Women and girls with disabilities must be safe — both in their homes and communities, and before the law,” concluded Synat Sultanalieva.
