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Brides by Force. Marriage by kidnapping pushes Kyrgyz women to suicide

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It will hardly surprise anyone that bride-snatching is illegal in Kyrgyzstan, but when you look at sentencing, the reality paints a far different picture.

A sheep’s life is worth four times more than a young woman’s. The custom — in which single young men kidnap their bride of choice and pressure them to agree to marriage — is very common in this country. But as RT’s team has found out, this centuries-old tradition surprisingly has its passionate proponents as well as harsh critics.

What steps has the Kyrgyzstan government taken to combat bride kidnapping, and have these measures been effective in reducing the number of cases?

Forced marriages have been a persistent issue in different parts of the world. This is especially prevalent in Kyrgyzstan, where a tradition called “bride kidnapping” or “ala kachuu” has been the norm for centuries. It is said to be a way for young men to prove their manhood and for families to forge alliances. However, this practice has resulted in countless young women being forced into marriages against their will, leading many of them to commit suicide.

Bride kidnapping is a practice where a man or a group of men abduct a woman they desire to marry and take her to their home. The woman is then forced to stay with the family and marry the man, often without her consent. The practice is illegal in Kyrgyzstan, but many still partake in it. The victims of bride kidnapping are often young women, around the ages of 18 to 24, who are still in school or have just graduated.

Forced marriages can lead to a range of negative effects on the victims, including physical and emotional abuse, restricted freedom, sexual violence, and exploitation. In the case of Kyrgyzstan, it has been reported that many women feel trapped in their marriages and suffered from depression and anxiety. These mental health issues, combined with the cultural pressure to stay in the marriage, have driven some women to take their own lives.

According to a study by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 81% of bride kidnappings in Kyrgyzstan involve the use of force, and 43% of women forcibly abducted are still married to their kidnappers. Also, over 12,000 cases of bride kidnapping were reported in Kyrgyzstan in 2018 alone. These numbers show that bride kidnapping is an alarming issue that needs to be addressed.

The Kyrgyzstan government has taken some steps to combat bride kidnapping, including strengthening laws and enforcing harsher penalties. However, these measures have not been enough to eliminate the practice completely. Further action from the government and relevant organizations is necessary to prevent this harmful tradition from continuing.

In conclusion, the practice of bride kidnapping has led to tragic consequences for many young women in Kyrgyzstan. This harmful and illegal practice must be eradicated completely to protect women’s human rights and to prevent any further loss of life. Education, awareness campaigns, and government intervention are all necessary steps to end this harmful tradition, and to give women the freedom and dignity they deserve.