KYRGYZSTAN: Kyrgyzstan said to Need More Gender Equality

Date: 
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Source: 
Central Asia Online
Countries: 
Asia
Central Asia
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Participation

Since 2008, the government has not met a legal obligation to issue an annual report on gender equality, MP Damira Niyazaliyeva, chairwoman of the parliamentary committee on social policy, health care, labour and migration, said at a hearing on “The woman in contemporary Kyrgyz society: problems and achievements.”

Women make up 52% of society but only 20% of MPs, she added. Labour, Employment and Migration Minister Almazbek Abytov suggested amending existing laws to expand the role of women in political and public life.

Kyrgyzstan needs to create a National Council on Women's Issues under the president, participants agreed.