March 6, 2014 On March 5 from 15:00pm till 19:00pm activist group SQ of the Bishkek’s feminist initiative had planned educative-entertaining event marking the International Day of Women. Event included the quiz on history of women’s movement and small prizes, also photo stand and feminist slogans. Activists were trying to explain the meaning of March 8 and issues related to women’s rights and prevention of violence. Group had an official permission for holding the demonstration. Approximately at 18:00pm, when the event was already about to end, the activists approached by a group of 20-30 men, who began aggressive questioning regarding feminist symbols, accusing the feminist group of propagating Christianity. Activists tried to leave the place, but the crowd chased them insulting the group physically and calling for violence. Men broke the photo stand also and continued attacking activists. Unfortunately the incident has not been recorded since activists were under the attack. One of the male activist was called “pederast” and thrown onto the ground where the attackers kept kicking and hitting him. Collective asked the help from the police (who were allocated 20 meters away from the demonstration site), but the latter ignored the cry for help even when the activists presented the official permission to hold the demonstration. Activists had to seek shelter in the building of district court but not only the watchman but also part of the court’s employees were trying to throw them out of the building. Police arrived but one of the policemen was supporting the crowd trying to hand over the group of activists to the aggressive citizens gathered outside. Fortunately the rest of the representatives of law enforcement agency managed to evacuate activists from the site. In total, it should be said, adequate opposition from the police officers was not achieved and they have not taken appropriate measures against lawbreakers. According to the activists the abovementioned incident is not isolated, since violence and hatred is systematic, perceived as the norm in the society. Members of the demonstration stated, that what they have gone through, in fact, represents the reality of Kyrgizstan’s women’s and girls’ lives. The raid of this demonstration showed that the society does not want to see women in the public spaces as active members of public life and civil society and believe, that as one of the counter-demonstrator declared: “women do not need any rights, they will always remain in inferior position” this position is otherwise often called ‘home’. Source