Domestic Violence in Kyrgyzstan

This chapter is based on the stories of 16 women residing in a domestic violence shelter in Kyrgyzstan. It examines the experiences of these women with regard to domestic violence and help-seeking, focusing on their strength and resilience in searching for ways to find safety, voice, and empowerment. The chapter deconstructs the myths and cultural biases that seem to encourage or support violence, and it discusses how cultural and societal beliefs influence this violence and serve as a deterrent to help-seeking. The chapter disentangles these different myths from the viewpoint of the status of daughter-in-law and the role of mother-in-law in the Kyrgyz society, and it discusses how traditional norms and attitudes are used to justify and perpetuate abuse. It presents women’s ideas for helping and empowering other women, their outlook and lessons learned, and discusses potential entry points and pathways for change.