New Posters in Public Transit Systems in Bishkek and Osh Call for Action Against Harassment

BISHKEK, December 7, 2023 – New posters have appeared on buses and trolleybuses in Bishkek and Osh cities with the slogan “Facing harassment is scary. Let’s stop it together”. They are designed to raise awareness among passengers about harassment in public transit and to encourage them to take action whenever they come across it.

The posters were developed in partnership with the Mayoral Offices of Bishkek and Osh, with support from UNICEF, as part of the joint European Union-United Nations initiative titled Spotlight that aims to end gender-based violence against women and girls in Kyrgyzstan.

Harassment is any inappropriate, unwelcome behaviour that is reasonably perceived to offend or humiliate another person. It may take the form of words, gestures or actions that are intended to annoy, alarm, offend, intimidate or humiliate another person.

“Most often children, girls and women suffer, while the act of harassment goes unpunished. We hope that such campaigns will help in creating safer environments for them”, noted Cristina Brugiolo, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Kyrgyzstan.

Harassment can occur anywhere: at work, on the street, at school, in a taxi or on public transportation. More than 700,000 people use public transport in Bishkek and Osh every day. Safe transportation is a daily need.

This activity complements the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence which takes place annually from November 25 to December 10 and aims to draw attention to the problem of violence against women and girls.