Advancing Gender Justice with Community Broadcasters in Kyrgyzstan

Community media is key in Kyrgyzstan, given the geographic challenges of rural communities in remote and mountainous locations, where regional news do not reach the country as a whole, and vice versa. Alternative channels of access to information complement national and regional information. It is thus key in advancing gender justice through gender-sensitive information and conscious opposition to gender stereotypes.

Challenges on gender in Kyrgyzstan still consist of polarized public opinion, declining women’s participation in the political system, radicalization and religious extremism, media messaging on negative stereotypes. There is demand for high-quality media programming that promotes more positive role models for women in Kyrgyz society.

Foreign funding is a matter of controversy and concern in Kyrgyzstan, especially as it relates to media engagement. UNDEF’s support proved valuable as a neutral, credible, and legitimate source of funding. It allowed for activists and journalists from very different regions, political views, social backgrounds to meet and work together, without prejudice, and achieve results from productive and meaningful collaborations.