In 2016, IOM together with UN Women and United Nations Population Fund conducted a nationwide study in Kyrgyzstan on Gender in Society Perceptions (GSPS), which revealed how migrant women are perceived in the society and how this perception further stigmatizes returning migrant women. This clearly highlighted needs of gender mainstreaming in migration and development priorities at the local level and strengthened understanding of local actors including local authorities and community-based organizations on the important role of migrant women in socio-economic development. Further, particular gender issues such as reintegration needs of migrant women need to be sufficiently addressed in local development planning.
The ultimate objective of the project is to contribute to local authorities in Kyrgyzstan mainstreaming gender into local migration and development priorities. This will be achieved through carrying out capacity building activities for local authorities, community-based organizations and community leaders and developing draft programmes on mainstreaming gender into local migration and development priorities. Within the project, two pilot districts in Kyrgyzstan will be identified for project activity implementation and local actors will serve as voices for addressing challenges and vulnerabilities of migrant women and combatting stigmatization and discrimination at the local level.