Bishkek, Jan. 23, 2026 /Kabar/. European Union, together with UN Women, officially launched the Zero VAWG (Zero Violence Against Women and Girls) initiative, aimed at promoting zero tolerance for violence against women and girls and strengthening national mechanisms for the prevention of gender-based violence in the Kyrgyz Republic.
The launch and signing ceremony took place in Bishkek and brought together representatives of the government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the European Union, the UN system, development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
Zero VAWG initiative is designed to run for 36 months, from November 2025 to October 2028. The total project budget is US$3.119 million, of which €2.5 million is provided by the European Union, and UN Women is contributing US$200,000.
As noted during the event, the project aims to strengthen the capacity of women's and youth organizations, which play a key role in preventing and responding to violence against women and girls. The initiative plans to support at least 140 women's, youth, and other organizations and implement the "Zero VAWG Community" model at both the local and national levels.
The project is expected to have a multiplier effect, reaching more than 1,200 organizations and 6,000 participants in all seven regions of the country, including Bishkek and Osh cities, as well as over 20 institutions at central level.
During the presentation of the key areas of the initiative, UN Women emphasized that Zero VAWG focuses on:
- preventing gender-based violence;
- Expanding access to survivor-focused services;
- Developing coordinated and accountable community-based response mechanisms;
- Using digital tools to shape new social norms and prevent violence.
The initiative's theory of change suggests that developing leadership and management skills among women's and youth organizations, their collaboration within the "Community Zero VAWG" model, and the use of digital solutions will lead to more effective responses to gender-based violence and the strengthening of human rights overall.
Welcoming remarks at the launch ceremony were delivered by Ainura Orozbaeva, Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Welfare, and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic; Rémi Duflo, Ambassador of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic; Antje Grawe, UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic; and Dr. Sadiq Sayed, UN Women Country Representative.
The long-term goal of Zero VAWG initiative is to strengthen the protection of human rights, strengthen the fight against gender-based violence, and empower women's and youth organizations in the Kyrgyz Republic.