KYRGYZSTAN: S/GWI PROJECT PROPOSALS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000160 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/PPD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWMN PREL KPAO SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: S/GWI PROJECT PROPOSALS REFTEL: State 0132094 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: Post is submitting two project proposals in response to the call for nominations for the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues (S/GWI) small grants initiatives (reftel). Post's first choice proposal is the proposal for funding of a regional conference on women's empowerment, which is tentatively scheduled for May 14-15 in Bishkek. Post's second choice proposal is a proposal to fund a network of women's shelters throughout Kyrgyzstan. POST'S FIRST CHOICE PROPOSAL -------------- ¶2. (U) Post's first choice proposal is a proposal to fund the travel expenses of women from the entire Central Asian region to attend the Central Asian Women's Conference in Bishkek in May. The conference seeks to address the problem of gross gender inequality in Central Asia. Central Asian women face an array of gender discrimination, including limited leadership roles in society, economic discrimination, domestic violence, limited property rights, trafficking, and forced marriage. The conference agenda includes women's economic empowerment through artisanship and community-based tourism, women's networking and association-building, trade mechanisms and strategies, social and legal issues affecting Central Asian women, expanding women's role in community-level decision making, increasing educational opportunities for women, and promoting job skills for under-educated women. The conference tentatively will include high-level speakers, such as Ambassador Melanie Verveer. The conference will be greatly enhanced by the participation of women from all Central Asian countries. ¶3. (U) Post's proposal includes funds for travel of regional conference attendees and participants. The attendees and participants will be selected by the U.S. embassy in their respective countries. The proposal covers the travel of participants in the following numbers and from the following countries: 7 from Afghanistan, 10 from Kazakhstan (5 from the north, 5 from the south),8 from Tajikistan, 10 from Uzbekistan, 7 from Turkmenistan, and 10 from Kyrgyzstan. The grant includes air/land transportation, hotel, and per diem. The total amount of the grant would be $99,857. The Embassy would be the recipient organization and would work with the other embassies in the region to disburse the funds to the conference participants. POST'S SECOND CHOICE PROPOSAL 
 -------------- ¶4. (U) PROJECT TITLE: Rehabilitation and Reintegration Assistance to Victims of Gender Violence, TIP and Domestic Violence Problem: Despite the fact that both kidnapping and domestic violence are illegal in Kyrgyzstan, great numbers of women and girls in Kyrgyzstan have experienced and continue to experience these serious violations of their most fundamental human rights. The Ministry of Internal Affairs registers 8,000 to 10,000 emergency calls regarding family crises each year. The number of women turning to women's crisis centers for help is increasing each year. In a recent survey on domestic violence conducted by Sezim Crisis Center, two out of three respondents said they had been victims of domestic violence. At least 17 women have died in Kyrgyzstan in 2008-2009 at the hands of physically abusive husbands. Statistics from the country's crisis shelters - where many of the most serious cases end up suggest that 80 to 90 percent of Kyrgyzstan's victims of domestic violence are women. Unfortunately, Kyrgyz crisis shelters have limited capacity for rendering services to the victims of domestic violence due to insufficient funding. Summary: The aim of this project is to build the capacity of nine shelters/crisis centers in terms of rehabilitation and reintegration assistance to victims of gender violence, TIP and domestic violence. Geographic coverage: Seven regions of the Kyrgyz Republic (Issyk-Kul, Batken, Naryn, Jalalabat, Osh, Talas and Bishkek). Project description: The project covers the nine main crisis centers' activities: legal, psychological, and social aid to clients of the shelters; meals for clients of the shelters; and technical assistance for crisis centers, including the telephone connection and transportation expenses. Within the framework of the project beneficiaries will be able to obtain the following forms of assistance: ¶1. Individual consultations from psychologists and psychotherapists; ¶2. Legal support including representation in court and legal documentation; ¶3. Group therapy sessions for clients. In addition to individual BISHKEK 00000160 002 OF 002 counseling, victims of violence can greatly benefit from group therapy. This type of therapy tends to inspire a sense of membership in a group, a shared sense of responsibility; ¶4. Further expansion of services for clients. This will include: medical services and consultations with relatives of the victims; ¶5. Hotlines. At the present time Crisis centers have two telephone numbers: 24 hour hotline for violence victims and the regular office working line. The grant will cover one hotline and an office line for each center. ¶6. Media collaboration. The project will involve the media with the purpose of disseminating information about gender violence problems in Kyrgyzstan. ¶7. It is also planned to conduct a series of trainings for the staff of the 9 crisis centers on prevention of domestic violence. Desired outcomes: The capacity and professional services of nine crisis centers located in regions throughout the country will be developed. Women, who are victims of gender violence, human trafficking and domestic violence, from the most rural areas of Kyrgyzstan will have access to qualified centers with trained professionals. Performance measures: ¶1. It is planned to provide psychological consultations for 4,200 domestic violence victims within 18 months by means of 24-hour hot line and individual consultations in 9 shelters. ¶2. No less than 1,000 women will get legal support including representation in court and legal documentation; ¶3. Information campaign will raise awareness of 35,000 people on domestic violence prevention issues. Amount requested: $100,000 (detailed budget to follow separately) Project duration: 18 months Background on the organization: Public Association Crisis Psychological Center for Women and Families "Sezim" was founded in 1998 to provide legal, social, and economic protection for women and families, and assist with the psychological rehabilitation of victims of violence. Sezim is the oldest and most capable organization dealing with victims of gender violence, TIP and domestic violence. In 2003 the Center opened a shelter in Bishkek for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking and gender violence with assistance from the U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic. Sezim has several people on staff and has successfully implemented a number of U.S. government grants in the past. The Kyrgyz National Commission on the Affairs of Women, Families and Gender Development under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic supports Sezim and has donated office premises for the Center's long term use. Grant management: The Public Affairs Section at Post will manage the grant. Post, through Democracy Commission Small Grants and USAID programs, funds a number of women's initiatives supporting women's health, education and empowerment in the Kyrgyz Republic. The advancement of women in Kyrgyz society is a critical component in achieving each strategic mission goal, specifically promoting democratic governance and creating a healthier, better educated population. This project would continue the critical work of Sezim, by expanding professional services to victims of domestic violence in all regions of Kyrgyzstan. The Public Affairs Section is part of a weekly interagency assistance working group, which coordinates all assistance initiatives. GFOELLER