The official launch of the Zero VAWG (Zero Violence Against Women and Girls) initiative took place in Bishkek, aimed at combating violence against women and girls. This initiative, implemented with the support of the European Union and UN Women, is focused on creating zero tolerance for gender-based violence and strengthening prevention mechanisms in the Kyrgyz Republic.
The ceremony, which gathered representatives from various governmental and non-governmental organizations, was held in the capital and marked an important step towards uniting efforts in this area.
The Zero VAWG initiative is planned for three years — from November 2025 to October 2028, with a total budget of 3.119 million USD. The main funding of 2.5 million euros is provided by the European Union, while UN Women's contribution amounts to 200,000 USD.
The project will focus on supporting women's and youth organizations that actively participate in violence prevention. The initiative aims to assist at least 140 such organizations and implement the "Zero VAWG Community" model at local and national levels.
It is expected that the project will have a positive impact on over 1,200 organizations and 6,000 participants across the country, including Bishkek and Osh, as well as more than 20 central institutions.
During the presentation of the key aspects of the initiative, representatives of UN Women noted that Zero VAWG focuses on the following areas:
preventing gender-based violence;
access to services for victims;
developing effective response mechanisms at the community level;
applying digital technologies to shape new social norms.
The initiative anticipates that the development of leadership skills and collaboration among women's and youth organizations, as well as the implementation of digital solutions, will lead to more successful efforts against gender-based violence and an improvement in the human rights situation in the country.
At the opening ceremony, welcoming words were delivered by Ainura Orozbaeva, Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Security and Migration; Rémi Duflot, Ambassador of the European Union to Kyrgyzstan; Antje Grawe, UN Resident Coordinator; and Dr. Sadik Syed, Country Representative of UN Women.
The long-term goal of the Zero VAWG initiative is to strengthen the protection of human rights and combat gender-based violence, as well as to empower women's and youth organizations in the country.
