Libkan Bazaeva: decriminalization of domestic beatings poses serious threat to Chechen women

On November 25, Grozny hosted a press conference dedicated to the start of the annual international campaign "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence".

In her report delivered to the start of the campaign, Libkan Bazaeva, the director of the NGO "Women for Development", has stated that Chechnya managed to seriously reduce the number of cases of bride kidnapping and early marriages. However, according to Libkan Bazaeva, the republic still faces serious problems with restriction of women's rights to communicate with their children after divorces and physical abuses in families.

"A significant danger is also posed by the amendments to the law on decriminalization of beatings, intended to decriminalize domestic beatings. Perhaps, someone believes that this is a good way to save budget money; however, such decriminalization will actually free domestic criminals of responsibility. We can roll back in barbarian times!" said Libkan Bazaeva.

One of the main problems in the fight against violence against women around the world is in lack of financial resources. Therefore, during the campaign "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence ", the NGO "Women for Development" will collect donations to be directed to implement initiatives to prevent violence against women, reports Libkan Bazaeva.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.