5 December 2025, Bishkek — The XI Annual Conference of the Kyrgyz Association of Women Judges (KAWJ) convened today in Bishkek under the theme “Access to Justice for Women and Girls and Prevention of Gender-Based Violence,” with support from UNDP, the European Union, UNODC, and OSCE.

The conference provided a platform to address the systemic barriers that women and girls face when seeking justice and to identify concrete steps for strengthening gender-responsive judicial practices.

Opening the conference, Gulnara Duishenbekova, Chair of the Supervisory Board of KAWJ, stated: “Ensuring access to justice for women and girls and preventing violence against them is our unwavering priority. Every year, KAWJ works to help build a safer and fairer society for every woman and every girl in Kyrgyzstan. We firmly believe that only a gender-responsive justice system can deliver true equality and real protection of rights.”

Emil Oskonbaev, Chair of the Constitutional Court of the Kyrgyz Republic, highlighted the constitutional foundations of justice: “Issues of gender-based violence and protection of women’s rights have reached the level of national importance. They demand not only a legal response, but a values-based response. Women continue to face multiple barriers, and the court—as the institution of real protection—must serve as a zone of trust and safety. The judiciary carries a decisive role in transforming these values from declarations into practice.”

In her keynote remarks, Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, emphasized the long-term strategic partnership: “UNDP consistently supports the state in strengthening the rule of law, advancing gender equality, and expanding opportunities for women and girls. Our partnership focuses on enhancing the professional capacity of judges and judicial staff, ensuring equal access to justice, and supporting judicial reforms and institutional development, including the strengthening of the role of women within the judiciary. UNDP also provides expert support to modernize judicial administration, advance digitalization, and improve the transparency and effectiveness of the courts.”

Cosimo Lamberti-Fossati, Acting Head of Development Cooperation of the European Union Delegation, added: “Promoting gender equality and combating gender-based violence are core priorities for the European Union. We have achieved significant progress together with Kyrgyzstan in recent years, yet many important joint initiatives still lie ahead.”

Throughout the conference, participants discussed new legislative developments on the protection and prevention of gender-based violence in the Kyrgyz Republic, shared positive practices from criminal justice, and proposed initiatives to further strengthen laws and improve the protection of women and girls. They emphasized the urgent need for proactive engagement from all professional communities to raise legal awareness, embed gender-sensitive approaches, and reinforce zero tolerance for all forms of violence.

Participants also highlighted the rapid rise of digital violence, particularly against women and girls. Although this form of abuse is not yet fully reflected in national legislation, it is already affecting lives. The justice system, they stressed, must address it openly and develop appropriate responses.

Organizers expressed confidence that the conference’s conclusions will help drive future reforms and practical steps to strengthen a justice system that is accessible, people-centered, and responsive to the needs of women and girls.