OSCE supports promotion of women’s political participation in local councils in Kyrgyzstan

Twenty-five female members from across the local councils in the Chuy province, local activists and potential candidates for the 2020 local council elections are taking part in a train-the-trainer capacity building course from 29 to 31 October 2019 in Bishkek. The event is organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, with the support of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

Participants discuss gender stereotypes, the role that women’s equal participation in decision-making plays in the overall development of the country, and existing national legislation that promotes women's political rights.

The course aims at equipping women activists with the necessary knowledge about political leadership and electoral processes.

According to the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda of Kyrgyzstan, between 2004 and 2016 the percentage of women members of local councils had decreased by more than one third: from 19% in 2004 to only 10% in 2016. The August 2019 amendment to the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On the Election of Deputies to Local Councils” reserves a minimum 30% of seats for women in local councils..

The course is part of a series of training seminars conducted for over 200 women leaders and activists, as well as consultative meetings for over 2000 residents in the municipalities across Kyrgyzstan. Through these activities, the OSCE supports Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to implement the new law.

Following the train-the-trainer courses, the participants are expected to conduct consultative meetings with men and women in their respective municipalities to share their knowledge about the new legislation and the importance of its implementation.