Bübyusara Ryskulova, the honorary president of the crisis center Sezim, meaning “feeling,” has dedicated over three decades to aiding women and children who have survived violence. She shared insights with UN News on Kyrgyzstan’s progress and ongoing challenges in combating domestic and family violence during the recent Commission on the Status of Women session (CSW70) in New York.
Ms. Ryskulova, who was part of a distinguished delegation including the deputy prime minister and ombudsperson, highlighted the value of international comparison. “For me, it’s a chance to see how other countries work,” she stated. “At home, you hear a lot of criticism, but still, comparison puts things into perspective.”
Inspiration and Early Realizations
Her path into this field began unexpectedly. A visit to the United States in 1998, through an exchange program focused on domestic violence, exposed her to functional support systems for the first time. “I saw for the first time how a support system actually functions,” Ms. Ryskulova recalled. “Back home, no one even talked about these issues out loud. … But, even then, I knew how deep our problems were.”
Founding Sezim and Societal Hurdles
Sezim, established in 1998, was among the region’s first crisis centers, emerging when the concept of aiding violence survivors was novel in Kyrgyzstan. Ms. Ryskulova noted that even today, open discussions about domestic violence can be difficult, partly due to a rise in religious interpretations influencing societal views. She observed a “certain rollback” in some areas of women’s rights.
The Initial Challenges of Support Services
The early days were marked by significant challenges, particularly with the launch of the first hotline. “When we opened the hotline, we just sat there waiting. Will anyone call? And for a long time, no one did,” she recounted. “When the first call finally came, they said, ‘take it’. I had almost no experience. My hands were shaking, but that’s how we started.”
Undeniable Progress and Legal Frameworks
Despite the difficulties, progress has been significant. The professional landscape for psychologists has evolved, with universities now training many practitioners, a stark contrast to the early 1990s. Following extensive civil society efforts, Kyrgyzstan enacted a law on family violence in 2003, with further legislative updates in 2017, making it a pioneer among post-Soviet nations.
“At the legislative level, we really can’t complain,” Ms. Ryskulova said. However, she emphasized the gap between legislation and its implementation. “That’s why now we work more on the ground, protecting specific people.” Sezim operates a shelter and its specialists have extensive experience. Ms. Ryskulova herself is a practical psychologist and frequently represents survivors in court, a role permitted by law through a power of attorney.
The organization has handled approximately 40 court cases in recent years, with nearly 90 percent resulting in decisions favorable to survivors. These often complex cases, including murders and rapes, are handled with a commitment to protecting anonymity if desired by the woman, while also raising public awareness.
Addressing Severe Exploitation, Including Sexual Slavery
International cooperation, particularly with UN agencies, has been crucial for developing crisis centers in Kyrgyzstan. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was an early partner, introducing Ms. Ryskulova to the term “sexual slavery.” This led to the establishment of a dedicated hotline, and she recounted a harrowing early case involving a pregnant, underage victim who expressed suicidal thoughts.
Sustained Effort for Survivor Support
Sezim continues its collaboration with UN agencies like UNHCR and UN Women, valuing the exchange of expertise, training, and joint projects. Platforms like the Commission on the Status of Women are vital for understanding global developments and identifying areas for improvement.
Ms. Ryskulova remains resolute: “Seminars and trainings matter and prevention matters, but if even one person who has suffered remains without protection, then we still haven’t done everything we must.” Helping survivors, she concludes, demands continuous daily effort.
