The project HERo – New narratives towards a gender equal society is aimed at supporting transformation of deeply entrenched patriarchal behavioral attitudes in the Kyrgyz Republic by fighting against the spread of gender and social discrimination in education, mass media, and applying an effective and productive response to gender-based discrimination, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 5. The project wants to support government bodies, civil society organizations, education institutions and the media in promoting gender equality and preventing gender discrimination, and disseminating positive gender narratives at all levels of society.
Support the transformation of deep-seated patriarchal behaviors in society by eliminating the propaganda of gender and social discrimination in education, the media and the implementation of effective and productive responses to gender discrimination in line with SDG 5.
Contribute to the institutionalization of mandatory anti-discrimination and gender expertise of standards and teaching materials, as well as to increase the gender competence of educators in the Kyrgyz Republic to ensure the implementation of the goals of the National Action Plan for Gender Equality for 2018–2020 and the Education Development Strategy until 2020.
The project will support the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic and other educational organizations in introducing anti-discrimination and gender expertise of standards and teaching materials, improving the gender competence of educators, and in conducting an information campaign for girls aimed at changing gender stereotypes when choosing a profession. Civil society organizations, including religious organizations and clergy in all regions of the country, will be engaged to combat girls dropping out of school due to the religious beliefs and patriarchal cultural norms of their parents and early marriages.
Contribute to the development and implementation of gender-sensitive journalism standards in Kyrgyzstan to support the implementation of target 31.3 of the National Action Plan for Gender Equality for 2018-2020.
The project will work with the media to develop and implement standards for gender-responsive journalism in line with the UNESCO recommendations on gender-responsive media. Methodological support will be provided to universities in the application of these standards in the training of specialists in journalism. Facilitate better cooperation between the media and gender NGOs and experts.
Improving coordinated interdepartmental interaction to prevent and respond to gender discrimination and violence at the national and local levels through increasing the capacity of ministries, departments and local governments responsible for gender issues.
Events and trainings will be carried out for civil servants responsible for gender issues of ministries and departments, local self-governments to improve coordination and interdepartmental cooperation in the implementation of gender policy, prevention of gender discrimination and response to it at the national and local levels. Methodological and informational assistance in the creation and support of the activities of committees for the protection and protection from family and gender-based violence at the level of local communities. Assistance in strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations for effective interaction with state bodies and local self-governments in order to promote the gender agenda.