Access to Justice: Systemic Solutions for Women in Kyrgyzstan

In 2026, International Women’s Day is marked under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action for all women and girls.” For Kyrgyzstan, this theme is a practical call to action: to strengthen the justice system so that every woman, especially those from vulnerable groups, can truly protect her rights.

February 24, 2026

Blazer-clad woman sits at a desk with papers and flags; another person faces her. — Aichurek Kamaeva, Head of the Legal Aid and Legal Awareness Department of the Legal Aid Service under the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic.

UNDP Kyrgyzstan

“Today, women in Kyrgyzstan are a driving force of our society’s development. Our task is to provide them with reliable legal support and build a system that works quickly, transparently, and fairly,” says Aichurek Kamaeva, Head of the Legal Aid and Legal Awareness Department of the Legal Aid Service under the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic.

In 2025 alone, 55,235 people received state-guaranteed legal aid, including 27,792 women. At the same time, 70% of cases were completed, showing a steady improvement in the system’s effectiveness.

The Service provided legal protection to nearly three thousand women with disabilities and more than one thousand children. Women most often sought help with alimony claims, pension issues, and protection of property rights — matters that directly affect a family’s financial stability and security.

“Behind every number is a real life story. For a woman, this may be the only chance to protect herself and her children. That is why it is important for us not only to reach more people, but to ensure high-quality professional legal support,” Aichurek Kamaeva emphasizes.

With UNDP support, the state-guaranteed legal aid system is undergoing digital transformation. Integration with government databases through the “Tunduk” platform has significantly reduced bureaucratic barriers: eligibility for free legal aid can now be confirmed online.

In 2025, amendments were adopted to the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On State-Guaranteed Legal Aid,” expanding the categories of people entitled to free legal representation. Parents and guardians of children with disabilities gained the right to qualified legal support without having to provide proof of income, removing one of the key financial barriers.

“We are deliberately removing systemic obstacles that prevent women from accessing legal support. Legislative changes are not just formalities — they are real tools of social justice,”

she notes.

Staff of the State-Guaranteed Legal Aid Service completed a series of trainings to raise awareness and strengthen their knowledge on gender equality, women’s rights, and gender sensitivity, in order to provide better-quality legal assistance and consultations.

Mobile outreach has played a special role in expanding access, including the “Solidarity Bus,” now integrated into the state system. Today, this is a regular practice: teams of lawyers travel quarterly to the most remote areas of the country.

In 2025, mobile outreach expanded access to legal and social services for remote and vulnerable communities in four regions of the country, guided by the principle of “leaving no one behind.” Providing legal services directly within communities has demonstrated a scalable model for inclusive access to justice.

The 114 hotline and digital consultation tools also provide prompt legal support in real time.

“Our strategic goal is to ensure that every woman can access qualified legal assistance literally in one click, regardless of where she lives,” Aichurek Kamaeva stresses.

UNDP supports the Ministry of Justice in implementing national priorities for justice system reform, including the State Programme for the Development of the State-Guaranteed Legal Aid System for 2024–2028.