Kyrgyzstan: Femicide Crisis Ignored Amid Social And Political Apathy
Kyrgyzstan Continues to Grapple with Shocking Cases of Femicide
In a heartbreaking and gut-wrenching tale of loss and tragedy, Salkynai Kurmanova mourns the loss of her daughter, Rahima, who was brutally murdered after being reconciled with her abusive husband. Kurmanova recounts the painful moment when she convinced Rahima to return to her husband, only for her daughter to meet a tragic end, receiving 27 stab wounds in the presence of her young child.
Rahima’s case is just one of many shocking femicides currently being heard in Kyrgyz courts, shedding light on the pervasive issue of violence against women in the country. According to research commissioned by the Open Society Foundation, more than 1,100 Kyrgyz women have been killed since 2010, with men responsible for 80 percent of the murders.
Experts point to public indifference and the ineffectiveness of state bodies as the main causes of femicide in Kyrgyzstan. Gulnara Ibraeva, a sociologist, describes the situation as a mass occurrence of violence against women, leading to tragic and senseless deaths.
The story of Aizhan Alykulova further highlights the brutality and horror that many women face in Kyrgyzstan. Alykulova, a kind-hearted and charitable individual, met a gruesome end at the hands of a man she had recently started dating. Her mother, Roza Zhekshenova, recalls the devastating injuries her daughter sustained, painting a vivid picture of the extreme violence that many women endure.
Despite the alarming number of femicide cases and the continued prevalence of violence against women, there seems to be a lack of meaningful change or progress in Kyrgyz society. Police negligence, ineffective state mechanisms, and a culture of impunity contribute to the ongoing cycle of abuse and violence targeting women in the country.
As families mourn the loss of their loved ones and seek justice for the atrocities committed against them, it is clear that Kyrgyzstan must confront and address the systemic issues that perpetuate gender-based violence. Only through collective action, advocacy, and accountability can the country begin to stem the tide of femicide and ensure the safety and well-being of all its citizens, especially its women and girls.
