“They Didn’t Believe I Was Sexually Abused”: The Problems and Systemic Injustice Faced by Women with Disabilities in Kyrgyzstan

Trigger Warning: This text contains discussion of sexual violence, which may be distressing for some readers.

In recent years, the issue of violence against women in Kyrgyzstan has increasingly been discussed and has drawn greater public attention. High-profile cases of rape and the tragic deaths of women, in particular, have highlighted the depth of the problem and pushed for the adoption of systemic measures. However, the reality for women with disabilities is different. Even when they experience violence, they are often unheard and invisible, and due to multiple barriers, they are unable to protect their rights.

Persons with disabilities are individuals who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various societal barriers, may limit their full and equal participation in public life on an equal basis with others. (Article 1 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)

In Kyrgyzstan, disability is classified into three groups depending on the severity and causes: Group I, Group II, and Group III. Among these, Group I is considered the most severe form of disability.

As of 2024, more than 220,000 people in Kyrgyzstan are officially registered as persons with disabilities. Over 105,000 of them, nearly half  are women.Sexual violence refers to acts of a sexual nature committed without a person’s consent or against their will. This includes forced sexual intercourse, sexual harassment, threats, unwanted touching, degrading remarks, and other similar acts.

Violence in the Hospital: Tomiris’s Story

Tomiris (name changed) has a congenital disability and belongs to Group I. For many years, she was unable to walk independently, and doctors told her there was “no hope.” Yet Tomiris always believed that one day she would stand on her feet and be able to live like others. Thanks to that belief and the support of her family, several years ago she began walking and was even able to pursue higher education.

“When I was young, I couldn’t do anything without my parents’ help. I spent many years in a wheelchair. I can’t say that most people around me treated me with understanding. But I always lived with hope. Maybe my stubborn character played a role, but eventually I managed to stand on my feet. Now my condition is relatively better. I wanted to get a higher education and be useful, so after turning 20, I applied to university. I recently graduated.”

However, Tomiris faced many difficulties along this path. The most painful one and the one that left a deep scar on her heart was experiencing sexual violence. Because she has a Group I disability and to help ease her mobility, she regularly attended massage sessions (editor’s note: therapeutic massage). On that day, Tomiris went to the hospital as usual. Since she had already received two massage sessions from the same specialist before, his remark that she would be “the last patient” did not raise any concerns. However, during the massage, Tomiris became a victim of sexual violence.

“I am forced to visit hospitals frequently and receive massages because of my health condition. If I don’t, my body starts to ache and I begin to feel unwell. So, as usual, I booked an appointment and went to a hospital near my home. It was already late, and I was extremely tired after walking from one end of the hospital to the other. When I arrived at the specialist’s room, no one was there. Then he came in and locked the door, saying it was so that ‘no one would disturb us.’ The massage began as usual, and I must have fallen asleep. At some point, I realized that his hand was on my intimate area. Before I could fully understand what was happening, I felt a sharp pain. I realized that he was committing acts of a sexual nature using his hands. I didn’t have the strength to scream or resist, and remembering that the door was locked, I panicked. Only after the massage ended did I regain my composure and ask, ‘What did you do to me?’ He replied as if nothing had happened, saying, ‘I just gave you a massage.’”

Higher Risk of Violence, but Deep Distrust

What Tomiris experienced reflects the reality faced by many women with disabilities around the world. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine notes that around 40% of women with disabilities experience sexual violence at some point in their lives. Another study indicates that women with disabilities are four times more likely to face sexual violence compared to women without disabilities.

In Kyrgyzstan as well, research conducted by international organizations consistently highlights the heightened risk of violence faced by women with disabilities. For example, a 2023 study by Human Rights Watch reported that 35 women with disabilities who participated in the research had experienced psychological, economic, physical, and sexual violence at the hands of family members or others in their surroundings. The organization noted that in Kyrgyzstan, disability is often viewed at the state level primarily through a medical lens or as a condition that needs to be “treated.” This approach contributes to the stigmatization of disability and reinforces negative attitudes toward persons with disabilities.

According to psychotherapist Aida Parpieva, a “medicalized” approach toward persons with disabilities reinforces stigmatization, while isolation by their families and society further aggravates their situation.

“People with disabilities often remain one of the most vulnerable groups in society. This is influenced by entrenched stigmas and factors such as isolation. For example, at the family level, due to social pressure or fear of ‘what will people say?’, there are cases when relatives hide a family member with a disability and do not allow them to go outside. Such attitudes make them ‘invisible’ in society and lead to their problems being overlooked. However, the problem does not disappear. It accumulates and only resurfaces in public awareness when a high-profile incident, such as a case of sexual violence, occurs.”

As Aida Parpieva notes, women with disabilities who experience violence very rarely seek psychological support on their own. One of the main reasons is their financial and everyday dependence on close family members. In other words, the psychological well-being of women with disabilities is largely neglected and overlooked.

Tomiris has also experienced the deeply rooted stigmatization and indifference present in society. In addition, she faced distrust and humiliation.

After being subjected to sexualized violence by a specialist, she sought help first from a nurse and then from the hospital’s chief doctor. However, neither believed her, and she was met with humiliation.

“After the massage ended, I felt pain when sitting. That wasn’t supposed to happen. I spent a long time thinking about it before realizing that what had happened was sexual violence. Gathering all my strength, I decided to speak up. When I stopped a nurse who was passing by and told her what had happened, she looked at me for a moment and said, ‘You’re imagining things. He only gave you a massage,’ and then walked away. The chief doctor said the same thing and dismissed me. After that, I didn’t go for a massage for four years and couldn’t share this experience with anyone. I realized that in society, phrases like ‘Who would even look at you?’ is often directed at me because of my disability and that this is exactly what devalues the violence I experienced.”

According to Tomiris, the massage therapist at the hospital continued working and, some time later, committed violence against another woman with a disability. She believes this happened because the specialist was aware that women with disabilities often face difficulties resisting and that he would likely remain unpunished.

As a result, neither of the two women with disabilities reached the stage of filing an official complaint, and these incidents were not reflected in official statistics. In general, there is little to no official data in Kyrgyzstan that captures the scale of violence against women with disabilities.

Psychotherapist Aida Parpieva notes that it is more difficult to determine the scale of violence against women with disabilities and to maintain accurate statistics on the issue:

“The reason is that individuals with speech impairments, mobility difficulties, or intellectual developmental disabilities face significant barriers when trying to report violence. In particular, when there are intellectual developmental impairments, a person may not fully understand that violence has been committed against them.”

In general, such cases become known and attract public attention only when particularly high-profile incidents are reported in the media.

Below is an analysis of cases of violence against women with disabilities covered over the past ten years by the media outlets Azattyk and Kloop.

In total, 23 articles published by the two media outlets were identified, the majority of which were related to cases of sexual violence against women with disabilities.

It should be noted that the analyzed materials and their number may not reflect the true scale of the problem. According to a study by the Association of Crisis Centers, only about 10% of cases of sexual violence in Kyrgyz society are reported.

The analysis showed that women with disabilities experience violence at all ages. Among the cases where age was indicated, the youngest victim was 13 years old and the oldest was 40.

Among the girls and women who experienced violence were persons with disabilities of Groups I, II, and III. However, those with the most severe disabilities Group I including cerebral palsy, paralysis, speech, hearing, and intellectual impairments, were found to be at greater risk of violence.

In most cases, the perpetrators were family members, leaving victims with little or no safe space. Perpetrators also included neighbors, fellow villagers, distant relatives, and service providers, further limiting women’s access to safety and protection.

Since most perpetrators are family members or close relatives, the home becomes one of the least safe places for women with disabilities.

After experiencing violence from family members, women with disabilities are often forced to seek refuge in shelters. However, in Kyrgyzstan, there is only one shelter specifically adapted to their needs. This center, called “Tendik, (editor’s note: “Equality”) ” can accommodate 10 to 15 people at a time.

However, since this center is located in Bishkek, it remains unclear whether it is able to adequately protect women with disabilities who experience violence in rural areas.

Barriers That Make Access to Justice More Difficult

After experiencing violence, the path for women with disabilities to defend their rights within the legal system and hold perpetrators accountable is extremely difficult and accompanied by additional barriers.

Activist Victoria Biryukova notes that these obstacles begin the moment a woman with a disability leaves her home to file a complaint.

“I believe that women in Kyrgyzstan are generally not adequately protected from violence. When it comes to women with disabilities, the situation is even worse. As someone who has a disability and worked closely with women with disabilities for more than seven years, I can clearly see the barriers they face in seeking justice. For example, simply leaving the house and reaching the relevant institution can already be a major challenge. Even if they manage to get there, they are then required to travel across the city to different institutions to prove the violence, undergoing multiple examinations. This is because there is no centralized body where both medical and psychological examinations can be conducted in one place. In addition, women are forced to repeatedly recount what happened to different people. For women with speech impairments, accessing a sign language interpreter is also extremely difficult.”

According to Biryukova, financial costs within this process also create significant difficulties. These include transportation expenses, paperwork-related costs, and other associated fees.

It should be noted that, according to the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection, and Migration, the monthly social allowance provided to persons with disabilities in Kyrgyzstan ranges from 2,000 KGS (approximately USD 23) to 8,000 KGS (approximately USD 91). The highest amount  8,000 KGS  is allocated to persons with Group I disabilities.

Infographic: Barriers Faced by Women with Disabilities in Seeking Justice After Experiencing Sexualized Violence

As a result, women with disabilities systematically face stereotypes, discrimination, and institutional barriers along this path, making access to justice extremely difficult.

Response of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

Law enforcement authorities state that steps are being taken to prevent violence against women with disabilities and to address such cases. Daniyar Saparbaev, Head of the Department for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Coordination of Mobile Police Reception Units within the Public Security Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, noted that efforts are underway to provide specialized training for personnel and to increase awareness.

“As law enforcement officers, we are implementing a number of measures to prevent violence against persons with disabilities. These include training staff in sensitivity when working with persons with disabilities, improving mobility, and ensuring access to assistance regardless of location. For example, just last year, two training sessions for police officers were held with the participation of gender experts. In addition, police officers in each district are required to regularly check in on citizens with special needs. To make filing complaints more accessible in cases of violence, we have also introduced an online complaint submission system on the Ministry’s website and adapted it for persons with visual impairments.”

At the same time, Saparbaev acknowledged that Kyrgyzstan lacks a sufficient number of crisis centers for persons with disabilities and survivors of violence, and that overall awareness remains low.

“In general, we are aware of the challenges in raising awareness and are working in this direction. In addition, we are proposing to relevant authorities that the number of crisis centers for women, including women with disabilities, be increased, and we are working closely with non-governmental organizations on these issues,” he said.

What else needs to be done to improve the situation?

At the same time, experts and researchers emphasize that comprehensive measures are needed in Kyrgyzstan to strengthen the protection of the rights of women with disabilities and to prevent violence against them. Gender expert and specialist who has worked closely with women with disabilities, Baktygul Islanbekova, notes that the problems in this area are deep and multi-layered, and that efforts are also being made by experts and organizations to address them.

“In Kyrgyzstan, the roots of the issues related to women and girls with disabilities run very deep. Together with our team at the Public Association ‘Agency for Social Technologies,’ we have become fully convinced of this while implementing various projects and conducting research focused on women with disabilities. That is why we are carrying out different initiatives in this area, including organizing trainings for law enforcement officers, lawyers, staff of the Ombudsman’s Institute, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs on disability-sensitive approaches, as well as developing and submitting specific recommendations to relevant state bodies.”

At the same time, Islanbekova emphasizes that Kyrgyz society as a whole remains far from being inclusive and that many barriers continue to hinder the lives of persons with disabilities. In such conditions, girls and women who experience violence are particularly vulnerable when it comes to defending their rights:

“Our society is still very far from inclusivity. There are numerous factors that prevent persons with disabilities from accessing education, employment, and independent living. Due to the lack of infrastructure, accessible transportation, and appropriate conditions in schools, some parents are forced to refuse to send their children with disabilities to school. Later, because of entrenched stereotypes, these individuals struggle to find employment and remain economically dependent. In such circumstances, when women and girls experience violence, they are extremely vulnerable in defending their rights.”

According to the expert, this issue cannot be resolved solely through the efforts of law enforcement agencies or state institutions; it requires the involvement and commitment of all members of society.

“How can this be addressed? First and foremost, we need to make society inclusive and widely promote the understanding that persons with disabilities are part of our community. This requires awareness campaigns and sustained public engagement. It is also essential to create infrastructure that enables persons with disabilities to access education and later employment by adapting roads, transportation, and other public spaces to their needs. At present, the living environment is often unsafe for them. Furthermore, when a person with a disability experiences violence, there must be specialized centers they can turn to for support. In Kyrgyzstan, requests for help are often made only through voice communication, which creates serious barriers for individuals with hearing or speech impairments. Therefore, as in the example of Kazakhstan, it is necessary to provide options for written or video-based обращения and to involve sign language interpreters and relevant specialists. Only systematic efforts by both society and the state can lead to meaningful progress.”

Expert Baktygul Islanbekova believes that if the state and society are able to improve the situation in this area, persons with disabilities would have the opportunity to live ordinary lives and contribute economically to the country. She also notes that building an inclusive society would strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s image on the international stage.It should be noted that Kyrgyzstan ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2019. Although some steps have been taken since then, many challenges remain unresolved in protecting and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, including women who have experienced various forms of violence.

Author: Guliza Urustambek kyzy 

This material was prepared within the framework of the 2025 Feminist Media Fund for Alumni Media Fellows of APWLD (Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development).