UNDP and the Social Services Development Fund conducted a series of trainings in Bishkek and Osh to help eradicate discriminatory stereotyping against persons with disabilities and gender equality (October 31-November 1 in Bishkek, and November 5-6 in Osh).

The participants received some general information about the Kyrgyz Republic national legislative framework and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, discussed stereotypes leading to discrimination, the issue of social distance in relation to persons with disabilities, and learned about the results of the study “Identifying negative stereotypes towards women, men with disabilities and rural women”.

“Creating conditions for the most vulnerable will lead to access to services for all”, one of the female participants noted.

Noteworthy is that all 36 participants were representatives of organizations engaged in protecting the rights of women and persons with disabilities. At the end of the trainings they were awarded certificates and handed over materials for conducting same trainings in the regions.

Presentations made at the training were of great interest, and participants were very active. The training included interactive games, brainstorming, group and individual work. Also, participants were attracted by art therapy, a session to create pictures with the purpose of increasing self-esteem and unleashing internal potential. Role plays and the gender analysis of proverbs and sayings made participants reflect on their stereotypes and gender-insensitive behaviors and attitudes.

“Forced isolation leads to desocialization,” emphasized Ukei Muratalieva, a participant. The training was just the beginning of the wider awareness efforts to be continued by participants in their respective organizations and regions.

The training was organized with the support of the project “Towards Sustainable Access to Justice for Legal Empowerment the Kyrgyz Republic” implemented by the UNDP and the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.