Violence against women remains a significant unresolved social issue in Central Asian countries. In these regions, brides, economically dependent women, and those living in rural areas are often the primary victims of violence. For instance, since January 2024, many news reports have emerged in the press of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan about women murdered by their husbands. According to internal analytical reports of the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Internal Affairs, 4,135 (15.3%) domestic violence cases were registered in the ministry’s electronic Information Registry for the first four months of 2024.[i]
In Kazakhstan, in November 2023, former Minister of Economy Kuandyk Bishimbayev brutally beat his 31-year-old wife Saltanat Nukenova in a restaurant, leading to her death due to severe injuries. This incident caused a significant stir both nationally and internationally.[ii]
In countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, laws aimed at ensuring the safety of women have been developed or are in the process of being developed. In July 2023, a meeting of the Central Asia Alliance on the elimination of sexual violence against women and girls was held in Kazakhstan. This meeting was part of a three-year “Light Regional Program,” initiated with the support of the European Union and the United Nations, aimed at ending all forms of violence and harmful practices against women and girls in Central Asia and Afghanistan.[iii]
In April 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan signed a new law aimed at strengthening the right to protection against violence for women and children, particularly domestic violence. The new regulation, commonly known as the “Domestic Violence Law,” includes amendments and additions to Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code, the “Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence,” the “Marriage and Family Code,” and other legal frameworks. While this law took significant steps to secure women’s rights and enhance their safety, it was criticized by Human Rights Watch (HRW) for certain shortcomings. The organization emphasized that the law’s failure to categorize domestic violence as a distinct crime would diminish its effectiveness, thus hindering efforts to combat violence effectively.[iv]
At the 2024 International Women’s Day ceremony, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan addressed the societal issues faced by Uzbek women. Mirziyoyev stated:[v]
“According to the Uzbekistan-2030 Strategy, large-scale measures are being taken to increase women’s participation in political, social, and economic activities, protect motherhood and childhood, ensure gender equality, and secure women’s rights and interests. To achieve this, national legislation is being improved first and foremost, and greater opportunities are opening up for women. For instance, our Electoral Law mandates that women must constitute at least 40% of parliamentary candidates, or at least two out of every five candidates.”
These laws, while mostly focused on protecting family values and maintaining family unity, fall short of preventing violence against women and safeguarding women’s rights. Experts and activists argue that the laws prioritize family integrity over the protection of victims of violence, making them ineffective in preventing domestic violence.
One critical form of violence that should not be overlooked is economic violence. Economic violence often goes unnoticed or unregulated and is a widespread issue. Legal frameworks that restrict women’s access to credit, employment opportunities, social protection rights, and property ownership can be considered common forms of economic violence.
In conclusion, more comprehensive and effective legal regulations are needed to prevent violence against women and defend women’s rights in Central Asia. It is crucial that existing laws be revisited with a focus on individual rights and freedoms, strengthening preventive measures against violence. Additionally, awareness-raising educational programs and support mechanisms for victims should be developed to combat violence against women effectively. Only in this way can the rights of women be safeguarded on a more secure footing in Central Asian countries.
[i] “Информация по семейному насилию за 4 месяца 2024 года”, Служба общественной безопасности МВД Кыргызской Республики, https://mvd.gov.kg/rus/domesticViolence/reports/34, (Access Date: 05.09.2024).
[ii] “Экс-министр экономики Казахстана Бишимбаев приговорен к 24 годам за убийство жены”, Би-би-си, https://www.bbc.com/russian/articles/c51n6r9w1d5o, (Access Date: 05.09.2024).
[iii] “Центральная Азия договорилась бороться с насилием в отношении женщин вместе”, Asia-Plus, https://www.asiaplustj.info/news/tajikistan/society/20230705/tsentralnaya-aziya-dogovorilas-borotsya-s-nasiliem-v-otnoshenii-zhentshin-vmeste, (Access Date: 05.09.2024).
[iv] “Казахстан: новый закон улучшен, но не доработан”, Human Rights Watch, https://www.hrw.org/ru/news/2024/04/30/kazakhstan-new-law-protect-women-improved-incomplete, (Access Date: 05.09.2024).
[v] “В Новом Узбекистане обеспечение достойной жизни народа, прежде всего женщин, и впредь будет нашей важнейшей задачей”, Президент Республики Узбекистан, https://president.uz/ru/lists/view/7076, (Access Date: 05.09.2024).
