When people face violations of their rights, the first barrier is often not the law itself, but fear: fear of seeking help, standing up for themselves, or simply asking questions. 

For nearly ten years, Svetlana Radchenko has been helping people overcome that barrier. Today, she is one of 26 paralegals providing legal assistance to key population groups across Kyrgyzstan's regions. 

Knowledge That Helps Protect Rights  

Svetlana began working as a community defender in 2016. Over the years, she has encountered many cases where women needed not only legal advice but also support in navigating government institutions or court proceedings. 

An important part of her professional development was the training she received with UNDP support through a Global Fund project. 

“I completed the basic training courses. They helped me tremendously. Now I can handle many of my clients’ issues independently, provide legal consultations, and participate in court proceedings,” Svetlana says. 

In complex cases, paralegals can seek guidance from mentor lawyers who provide support and help develop legal strategies. 

“UNDP and the mentor lawyers are always in touch with me,” she notes. 

This support goes beyond a single training course. Paralegals gain knowledge, practical skills, and access to a professional network that helps them address real-life legal challenges independently. 

From a Single Consultation to Systemic Legal Support 

Today, Svetlana is managing more than ten active cases and has provided around one hundred legal consultations. For some women, it is enough to understand their rights and learn how to approach state institutions. In other situations, more comprehensive support is needed, including assistance throughout court proceedings. 

“I constantly tell people: don’t be afraid of law enforcement agencies. You need to stand up for your rights,” says Svetlana. 

Her experience demonstrates that access to legal assistance often begins with a simple realization: every person has rights and can defend them. 

Through the project, UNDP supports the development of the paralegal assistance system in Kyrgyzstan’s regions. Paralegals work through civil society organizations and receive professional guidance from mentors and organizational leaders. Additional training opportunities are available through online courses offered by the Legal Aid Service under the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic. The International University of Kyrgyzstan has also developed online courses and a certification system for paralegals. 

Some of the specialists participating in the project have already been included in Kyrgyzstan’s official register of paralegals. 

As a result, this support not only helps individual women access legal assistance today but also strengthens access to justice at the local level. 

UNDP supports the Ministry of Health in strengthening a resilient and people-centered healthcare system in line with national priorities, SDG 3, and the national programme “Healthy Person, Prosperous Country.” 

This story was prepared within the framework of the UNDP project “Effective Control of HIV and Tuberculosis in the Kyrgyz Republic,” implemented jointly with the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic with financial support from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.