Kyrgyzstan
Women’s human rights
Aizat Ruslanova (she/her) is the Executive Director of the regional youth organization IDEA Central Asia. She is not only a civil activist but also a member of the Council for the Rights of Women and Children under the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic (the country’s parliament).
She is deeply involved in promoting women’s rights within both the formal and non-formal education sectors. Aizat has successfully implemented several initiatives that address the issues of gender-based violence against women.
One notable initiative is titled “Hands,” an innovative blend of mediums, incorporating academic art (including oil and charcoal drawings) along with audio and video elements. This multidimensional installation effectively conveys the atmosphere in which women frequently find themselves, shedding light on issues like sexism, victim-blaming and slut-shaming. Aizat’s dedication to empowering women and advocating for youth is evident through her impactful initiatives and written contributions.
“I am proud to be a human rights educator because we give young people a very cool tool to change their lives and develop their country.”
Discussion questions
Aizat states that in her country, “words like human rights, gender equality and feminism are perceived rather negatively”. Why do you think this is the case? Is it the same in your context?
What specific human rights challenges do women and girls face in your school, community or country? What can be done to overcome them? How can human rights education help?
Who is responsible to ensuring that women’s rights are protected and that victims of gender-based violence receive support?
What benefits do you see in using arts for human rights education, like Aizat does?
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This multimedia educational tool is co-published by the United Nations (OHCHR), Amnesty International and Soka Gakkai International.