— We are trying to create change, to make our country and our lives better, says Inobatkhon Sultanova. For a decade, the youth organization has Noviy Rhythm worked for equality and human rights in southern Kyrgyzstan. This despite opposition from the authorities and the local population.
In southern Kyrgyzstan, equality and feminism are often seen as something radical. Through lectures, trainings and an annual demonstration on International Women's Day, the eighth of March, the youth organization Noviy Ritm (sv: Ny Rytm) tries to challenge this perception.
"We are the first and only feminist organization in southern Kyrgyzstan," says Inobatkhon Sultanova.
The 24-year-old works at Noviy Ritm in Osh, where she started volunteering back in 2017. The organization has been actively working for ideas such as solidarity, equality and equality in southern Kyrgyzstan for a decade, with a particular focus on feminism, youth empowerment and human rights .
— We are trying to create change, to make our country and our lives better, says Sultanova.
Through its youth activism, Noviy Ritm challenges the conservative mindset of the population. In Kyrgyzstan, residents and civil society have limited influence in the political system. Society is characterized by structural barriers: ethnic affiliation, class and social status determine people's opportunities to decide their own lives. An age-hierarchical structure of society means that young voices are rarely heard.
According to Sultanova, the youth activists lack support from society. Older people in particular do not understand the purpose of getting involved in politics and civil society issues.
— People are simply not open to the social problems we have. Lack of education means that there is a lack of knowledge about the importance of equality and human rights, that we have rights and why we need them, explains Sultanova.
She says that knowledge of human rights and equality has become increasingly common since Noviy Ritm was founded, thanks to the work of youth activists.
On International Women's Day, the eighth of March, Noviy Ritm used to organize an annual demonstration for women's rights. Sultanova describes that it was difficult to get permission from the authorities and that they were often met with hatred from spectators and passers-by during the demonstration. Despite that, they continued every year, until 2022 when the political situation changed and many activists left Osh.
Civil society and activism are now faced with new, political challenges. After Kyrgyzstan's change of government in 2020, many hoped for more freedom and less corruption, but instead the situation for activists is getting worse.
In recent years, Kyrgyzstan's rule has become increasingly authoritarian and repression of opposition voices, media and civil society has intensified. Restrictive legislation threatens independent media and the survival of civil society, reports Freedom House 2024.
— I am worried about the youth activists of the future when we see this unmotivating development. Who will be youth activists after us?, asks Sultanova.
But there are still glimmers of light. Although there are fewer youth activists, they are stronger than before, she says. Now they have more knowledge, thanks to the increased availability of information through the Internet, and they are developing new methods to continue their activism, for example through creativity and art.
— Others think they are patriots, but I can say with certainty that it is we, the activists, who are the real patriots, concludes Inobatkhon Sultanova.
ABOUT NOVIY RHYTHM
Noviy Ritm began to take shape in 2013 on the initiative of a group girls [sic] in Osh, Kyrgyzstan's second largest city.
With the motto For young people, by young people Noviy Ritm is a youth-led organization. They offer a place for young people to meet to discuss, exchange ideas, develop their leadership and cooperation skills and gain knowledge about human rights, gender equality, environment and climate change and conflict prevention. Activities and events such as workshops, meetings, trainings for young people and partners, and conferences are carried out at the organization.
Noviy Ritm's vision is a peaceful, democratic and equal Kyrgyzstan, where everyone's voice is heard and no discrimination exists. They describe their goal as promoting an active, influential and diverse civil society, nurturing active citizens, and broadening the horizons of future generations to enable a society where human rights are respected.
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