In recent years, media stories in Kyrgyzstan have been dominated by scandals and tales of political gain, with policy discussion rarely capturing the public’s attention. It was, therefore, remarkable that in October, the video of a parliamentary hearing on a proposed bill on public education went viral on social media, garnering 357,000 views and over 2,600 comments on Instagram and catapulting local teachers into the national spotlight.

“We recognize now that violence against women in politics is not only a threat to women, but also a threat to democracy.”

Madeleine K. Albright

Political participation is key to advancing disability rights and countering discrimination across all political spheres. Inclusive political systems and states can only be achieved if all sectors and segments of the population have equitable, accessible and open space to work together to advance collective priorities.

"By unanimous votes, the ayes have it," Dr. Abass Bundu, the speaker of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, declared as his gavel hit the large wooden desk. Finally, after 13 months of deliberations, negotiations, and suspense, the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Bill, 2021 was passed by parliament on November 15, 2022. Two months later, President Julius Maada Bio signed the bill into law, surrounded by women activists and civil society, including NDI’s Senior Resident Director for Sierra Leone, Mohamed Konneh.