Bishkek: Kyrgyzstan has recorded over 8,000 cases of family violence in the first ten months of 2023, a significant social issue highlighted in a recent parliamentary meeting. This figure reflects an ongoing challenge in addressing domestic violence in the country.

According to 24.kg News Agency, who announced these figures at a Parliament meeting, the number of reported cases in 2023 follows 8,620 cases in 2022. Ashimova pointed out that these are only the official numbers and many victims do not report to law enforcement. The Parliament considered a bill titled “On amendments to some legislative acts of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of protection from family, sexual, and gender violence.” The bill, initiated by Ashimova, aims to provide legal assistance to domestic violence victims and includes a correctional program for perpetrators to change their behavior. One significant provision in the bill requires the perpetrator to temporarily leave the shared housing with the victim, which, as explained by Ashimova, aims to prevent the collapse of families and facilitate reconciliation. The bill was adopted in its first reading by the Parliament members.