The Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based Violence was launched in Almaty on June 27 as part of the United Nations Spotlight Initiative Regional Program for Central Asia and Afghanistan.
The program, which is funded by the European Union, aims to combat gender-based violence and advance the fifth Sustainable Development Goal on gender equality. The alliance brings together stakeholders from across the region to advocate for gender equality, strengthen civil society, and create a platform for knowledge-sharing and expertise in order to prevent and address gender-based violence.
According to data from the United Nations, every third woman and girl in Central Asia has experienced violence at some point in their lives. Gender-based violence poses a significant threat to the well-being and human rights of women and girls globally. The establishment of the Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based Violence is a major step towards creating an environment of zero tolerance towards such violence, benefiting approximately 35mn women and girls in the five countries of the region.
Kestutis Jankauskas, the EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan, highlighted the collaborative efforts of the UN, Central Asian countries, and UN partners in their commitment to eliminating violence against women and girls.
“We unite forces under the Spotlight Initiative, and we are launching the Central Asian Alliance to end sexual and gender-based violence, which will help us all to move towards more modern and fair societies,” Jankauskas stated.
The alliance's formation is considered a significant achievement of the Spotlight Initiative Regional Program, which has made remarkable progress since its launch in 2020. During the launch event, participants shared insights into their work and discussed the challenges they face in addressing violence against women and girls.
Michaela Friberg-Storey, the UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan, emphasized the importance of this initiative as a milestone in the collective efforts of the UN and the EU to end violence against women and girls in Central Asia. She highlighted that the alliance will be linked with other existing regional and national initiatives and coalitions, calling on all regional partners to join this important effort.
"By working together, we can harness our collective strength to challenge harmful norms, enhance protection mechanisms, and ensure access to justice and support services for survivors," Friberg-Storey emphasized.
The launch of the Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based Violence represents a strong commitment to upholding the principles of human rights, equality, and justice, aligning with the transformative vision outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The European Union, United Nations, and their regional partners are paving the way toward a future where women and girls in Central Asia can live free from violence and discrimination.
The event was attended by over 70 representatives from the European Union, United Nations, Central Asian countries, diplomatic corps, civil society organizations, media, and youth associations. Their participation demonstrates the broad support and commitment to addressing gender-based violence in the region.
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