NEWS

9 November 2010

RURAL POVERTY HAS A FEMALE FACE

On October 15-22 UNDP Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP) has conducted Rural Poverty Has a Female Face campaign in pilot villages of Talas, Osh, Djalal-Abad, Naryn, Issyk-Kul Provinces dedicated to the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

The campaign was aimed at demonstrating the role of the local community in eradicating poverty with emphasis on female poverty. Organizations established with UNDP assistance and partners (non-profit organizations, Associations of Self Help Groups (ASHG), private enterprises) were involved in this campaign and provided material assistance and support to the socially vulnerable layers of population.

The work of Associations of Self Help Groups in 54 pilot villages of Talas, Osh, Djalal-Abad, Naryn and Issyk-Kul Provinces have been mainly focused assistance to women from poor families and single mothers with underage children. They have received food, soap and cleaning goods, school supplies and warm children’s clothes for the total amount of more than 200 000 som.

For instance, ASHG of 9 pilot villages granted 1000 soms for electricity for single mothers living in the Baigonchok Village, Ak-Talin District of Naryn Province, which is very timely considering upcoming winter (majority of the population utilizes electric heaters). Women from poor families of Ak-Tal Village received 50 kg of potatoes each from local community, and in Min-Bulak 60 kg of wheat.

ASHG and NGO activists of Ak-Niet 2005 from Osh Province organized a true holiday for women from vulnerable families. Repair of shoes, restoration of clothes, computer room, photo salon and veterinary services were provided free of charge in 15 pilot villages. On this day women also could use free services of cotton and wool beating plants.

Similar free services were provided to the residents in need of 14 pilot villages of Jalal-Abad Province. 28 poor families and single mothers received material assistance ranging from 500-1000 soms. Besides, 140 families in need received sweets and food from UNDP partner Joint Stock Company “Kelechek”.

ASHG of 8 pilot villages of Issyk-Kul Province provided one-time assistance to poor families, orphan children, and half-orphans. In particular, “Hadicha” orphanage in Kadji-Sai village and orphan children in Chelpek Village received warm clothes and participated in tea parties.

Non-Governmental Organization “Djyldyz-XXI” and ASHG in Talas Province conducted essay and picture competitions on the topic of “Overcoming Poverty in Villages Through Development of Women Entrepreneurship”. Competition Committee has identified 24 works, which were awarded with certificates of NGO “Djyldyz-XXI”, cash prizes from ASHG and presents (paints, pencils, albums etc).

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – is the UN global system in the development sphere, addressing to the positive changes in peoples’ life, providing the countries-members an access to the sources of knowledge, experience and resources. Our activity is on the territory of 166 countries, contributing to searching for the global and national issues in the development sphere. During the potential development process, the countries use an experience and skills of the UNDP staff and its partners’ community.

Source: UNDP-Kyrgyzstan