Sayora (name changed) was born in Uzbekistan but has lived most of her life in Kyrgyzstan, and for many years she lived without any civil documents. A couple of years ago, she got married, but the couple could not register their marriage because she lacked official identification documents. A daughter was born in the civil union, but the marriage soon fell apart. Sayora was faced with the need to protect the rights of her two-year-old child. After separating from the girl's father, she was left alone with the child and without financial support from the other parent. She only obtained her long-awaited Kyrgyz citizenship in 2025, so due to documentation problems at the time of her daughter's birth, she was unable to register the birth and obtain civil documents for her. 

Sadokat's story reflects the problems faced by many residents of the border regions of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Due to complex migration histories, a lack of necessary documents, or cross-border family circumstances, people find themselves in a state of legal uncertainty, which can lead to social and economic vulnerability. 

To address such issues, a project supported by the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and implemented jointly with partners provides free legal assistance to people in need of resolving legal problems. On the ground, this work is carried out by the NGO "Fergana Valley Lawyers Without Borders" through its qualified lawyers, who provide comprehensive legal support and guidance on complex cases. 

Sayora's case was one of the first that the project's lawyers took on in the pilot districts. The lawyers began the process of resolving Sayora's situation by addressing the legal status of her daughter. Thanks to established cooperation between the state bodies of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, it was possible to confirm the necessary information, and the state registration of her daughter's birth was carried out by the population registration authorities in Kyrgyzstan, and a birth certificate was issued for the child. For the child, this meant obtaining official legal status, and access to medical services, social protection, and other state guarantees. 

However, the most important stage for Sayora was protecting her parental rights and her daughter's interests after the separation. The situation was aggravated by the lack of an officially registered marriage between the couple, which is one of the factors that places women in a vulnerable position, a common occurrence in cross-border marriages. 

The project's lawyers provided the woman with full legal support, helped prepare the necessary documents, went through the process of establishing paternity, which is necessary in the absence of a marriage registration, and went to court to protect the child's rights. 

As a result of the court proceedings, where the lawyers represented the interests of Sayora and her child, a decision was made to recover alimony from the child's father, as well as an order for him to provide additional financial assistance for the child. Thus, the project's lawyers not only helped to secure the rights of the mother and daughter but also ensured the participation of the other parent in the maintenance and upbringing of the child in accordance with the law. 

For Sayora and her daughter, this decision was an important step towards stability and confidence in the future.

 "I used to think that my problems were impossible to solve and I had no confidence in the future. After the birth of my daughter and the divorce, I was especially worried about her fate. Thanks to the help of the lawyers, I was able to register my daughter's birth and obtain financial support for her maintenance through the court. Now I know that my child's rights are protected by law, and we have support that we can count on," says Sayora. 

Today, Sayora has established parental rights, and her daughter is officially registered, possesses all the necessary rights, and receives the court-ordered financial support. 

Sayora's story shows that timely legal assistance can change people's lives for the better. Thanks to the project's support, not only were the woman's parental rights defended, but the child's rights were also protected, which became the basis for a more stable and secure future. 

In addition to helping individuals, the initiative contributes to the broader goals of the UN Peacebuilding Fund, including strengthening social cohesion, reducing vulnerability associated with legal invisibility, and building trust between the population and state institutions in border areas. By supporting access to justice and protecting the rights of the most vulnerable populations, the project contributes to the formation of more resilient, inclusive, and cohesive communities in the border regions of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.