President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed a decree, entitled On Measures to Improve Gender Policy, saying that "women should have at least 30% representation in state bodies and local governments, including in decision-making positions."
The president said "conditions should be created to achieve women's empowerment," which was also part of "the country's international obligations."
As of now, all draft laws and regulations in the republic will be subject to mandatory "gender appraisal."
The decree orders the heads of state agencies and local government bodies to provide equal employment opportunities for women and men in the country, which has a population of just over five million.
Today, the migration minister is only woman in the Kyrgyz Cabinet, and there are no female members of the country's 75-seat parliament.
