Kyrgyz Woman Uses Miss World Stage to Speak Out Against Tradition

At the Miss World pageant in India, Kyrgyzstan’s representative, Aizhan Chanacheva, delivered a message against the practice of bride kidnapping — a deeply rooted tradition that continues to harm thousands of women in her country, Orda.kz reports.

According to Kyrgyz outlet Kloop, Chanacheva presented a documentary project titled New Way, where she directly condemned the practice of abducting women for forced marriage.

Research shows that in recent years, thousands of young women have fallen victim to this cruel practice. Many later endured violence, sank into depression, and some even took their own lives,Aizhan said. 

She called for an end to this tradition and urged creating a society where every girl and woman has the right to freedom, choice, and a life of dignity.

While bride kidnapping is technically punishable by five to seven years in prison in Kyrgyzstan, prosecutions are rare. Victims often remain with their kidnappers due to social pressure, fear of stigma, or the silent complicity of the system, trapped in a cycle of violence.

This isn’t the first time Kyrgyz women have used global stages to raise awareness of domestic issues.

At the 2022 Miss Universe pageant, Altynai Botoyarova wore an outfit symbolizing the fight against gender-based violence. At home, she faced online backlash and accusations of “damaging the country’s image,” ultimately leading her to apologize and delete her posts.

In a climate of official silence and patriarchal norms, the voices of contestants like Chanacheva resonate even more powerfully. Perhaps their courage can help spark long-overdue change—both in society and in the law.

It’s worth noting that bride kidnapping is also known to occur in Kazakhstan. However, the government has taken a firm stance against it.

In December 2024, Orda.kz reported that Kazakhstan plans to toughen penalties for abducting women.

Original Author: Alina Pak