Locations“You are a prisoner, keep silence and look down”, how women from key population groups face with violence and cope with fears.
October 8, 2023
In the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, many women receive their HIV diagnosis at an advanced stage, when the virus has already severely compromised their immune systems, rendering therapy ineffective.[1]
Late detection of HIV, particularly among women from key populations such as former female prisoners, sex workers, women and girls who use drugs, and transgender women, poses a significant challenge to public health programs both on a global scale and within the Central Asian region. The pervasive stigma and discrimination, coupled with psychological, physical, and sexual violence from partners and family members, compel these women to conceal their diagnosis until it's too late.
According to statistic data from the National Centre for the control of viral hepatitis and HIV, as of August 1, 2023, there were 12,111 registered cases of HIV in the country, with women accounting for 37.2 percent of all reported cases.
Marina Atabekova, a dedicated social worker at the Public Fund "Asteria, supported by UNDP and the Global Fund, reveals that their shelter for women from key population groups receives an average of 25-27 women each month who have been affected by violence.
“It's a painful reality that women who are both former prisoners and HIV-positive often find themselves dehumanized in society. Many live with partners who are themselves former inmates, drug users, or abusers. Initially, their relationships may seem stable, but over time, they often deteriorate, marked by substance abuse. Almost every day, cases arise where a partner or spouse derogatorily labels a woman as a "prisoner," expels her from her home, and denies her rights. Where else can these women turn if not to us?"
The Public Foundation "Asteria" has been working since 2006, offering a haven for women from key population groups. This work is covering through the UNDP project "Effective HIV and TB control," funded by the Global Fund, which covers expenses for women's sustenance, hygiene, household needs, and social worker salaries.
Women may stay at the shelter for a day or up to a month, and social workers strive to provide a secure environment for their children if they have them. The shelter can accommodate up to 10 women, offering support, counseling, rapid HIV testing, and referral services.
One client, Nurila (name changed), shared her story:
"After my release, I had nowhere to go as my mother had sold our apartment while I was in detention. My civilian husband was abusive, and I desperately needed rehabilitation and support. It was only through the PF "Asteria" and the caring social workers that I found refuge and managed to overcome my addiction. I now work at the Public Fund, helping women like me conquer their fears about the future. I have the opportunity to rent a small room and face the future with optimism. Without the Fund, I might have taken a very different path, perhaps even considered suicide."
For countless women, the refuge provided by the "Asteria" PF represents their last glimmer of hope. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, there were 8,502 reports of domestic violence registered in the first eight months of 2023.
In 2022, the UN system urged the Government of Kyrgyzstan to intensify awareness campaigns among public officials and the general populace, emphasizing the criminal nature of all forms of gender-based violence, including domestic and sexual violence, and encouraging the population and civil society to vehemently condemn such crimes.
