Reducing Non-Consensual Bride Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan

Russell Kleinbach () and Gazbubu Babaiarova ()
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Russell Kleinbach: Philadelphia University, USA
Gazbubu Babaiarova: Kyz Korgon Institute, Kyrgyzstan

Eurasian Journal of Social Sciences, 2013, vol. 1, issue 1, 50-60

Abstract: Bride kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan is the act of abducting a woman to marry her and includes actions, ranging from consensual eloping to forceful kidnapping and rape. This paper reviews the current context and research on bride kidnapping and describes a program that shows promise in preventing bride kidnapping. This program was tested in two studies, one in small villages (2008-2009), and one in Karakol City (2011-2012). These studies provide evidence that the program can help reduce the rate of bride kidnapping from approximately 1/2 to approximately 1/4 of marriages. Analysis of the practice and the economic, political and cultural changes in Kyrgyzstan in the last century shows how this program can be effective by shifting the focus from law and punishment to a discourse framed by tradition, family, honor and shame, and using the assumption from Gandhi's Satyagraha that truth is force.

Keywords: Kyrgyzstan; Bride Kidnapping; Ala Kachuu; Marriage; Satyagraha (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ejn:ejssjr:v:1:y:2013:i:1:p:50-60

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