Women's rights

(L to R) Natalia Tsoi, boxing referee from Kazakstan; Farida Abdueva, Muay Thai fighter from Kyrgyzstan; Shoira Zulkaynarova, boxer from Tajikistan; Aziza Yakubova, boxer from Uzbekistan. © Courtesy of N. Tsoi, F. Abdueva, S. Zulkaynarova and A. Yakubova.

Central Asia: Fighting, Inside and Outside the Ring

Women who dream of taking on combat disciplines have to first defy conservative traditions.

8 Mar 23

Women demonstrate against the rising rate of gender-based violence in Georgia. According to law enforcement agencies, since 2014 186 women were killed by their former partners; in 2022 alone 16 women were murdered. Human rights groups blame authorities' ineffective preventive measures and inadequate prosecution actions. © Gvantsa Seturidze/IWPR

Fears Rise Over Gender Violence in Georgia

Legal experts warn that the judicial system is not doing enough to convict perpetrators.

22 Dec 22

Ayten Osmanova arranges a colourful hijab in her atelier in Azerbaijan's capital Baku. The designer started her fashion business to cater for the increasing number of liberal believers who, like her, sought a modest apparel with a modern, colourful twist. © Lamyia Adilgizi

Azerbaijani Women Embrace The Headscarf

Islam is on the rise in the oil-rich, secular South Caucasus country and the hijab is a way to make a statement.

26 Jul 22

High migration and low birthrate are the key causes of Armenia's depopulation. For the first time since 1998, in the first quarter of 2022, the number of deaths registered exceeded the number of births by 609 people. © Gayane Markosyan

Armenia Faces Demographic Risks

For the first time since 1998, deaths outnumber births, escalating the country’s demographic crisis.

13 Jul 22

Departure of Ukrainian women with their children abroad affected relationships and problems in families. © Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Russian Invasion Overshadows Domestic Violence in Ukraine

Experts fear that a fall in reported cases obscures a hidden epidemic.

11 Jul 22

Turkmenistan's authorities have introduced severe restrictions on women's appearance, banning beauty practices like dyed hair, manicure and fake nails and eyelashes. Since April, women are also no longer allowed to sit in the front seat of taxis and male drivers are barred from offering rides to women who are not family members. © Igor Sasin/AFP via Getty Images

Turkmenistan: Car and Beauty Bans Further Erode Women’s Rights

Fresh prohibitions have crushed hopes that newly appointed 40-year-old president Serdar Berdymukhamedov would pursue a more enlightened path.

9 May 22

Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Gagauzia

How a girl’s dream to become a police officer raised the bar of gender equality in a conservative region.

24 Mar 22

A lake in the scenic Pamir mountains.

Tajikistan: Women Mountain Guides Scale New Peaks

An almost unheard job for a woman in the conservative Central Asian country.

8 Mar 22

Actor Saikal Zhumalieva and her co-writers brought the idea for It’s Like This in My World to Theatre 705.

Kyrgyzstan’s Feminist Theatre

Bishkek centre provides rare platform to explore social issues from new perspectives.

8 Mar 22

A woman holds a sign that reads, "Thanks feminism for my rights."

Kazakstan: Fighting to March

Attempts to hold an annual rally has become a highly symbolic tradition for the feminist movement.

8 Mar 22

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Women's rights

Central Asia: Fighting, Inside and Outside the Ring

Fears Rise Over Gender Violence in Georgia

Azerbaijani Women Embrace The Headscarf

Armenia Faces Demographic Risks

Russian Invasion Overshadows Domestic Violence in Ukraine

Turkmenistan: Car and Beauty Bans Further Erode Women’s Rights

Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Gagauzia

Tajikistan: Women Mountain Guides Scale New Peaks

Kyrgyzstan’s Feminist Theatre

Kazakstan: Fighting to March

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