On December 17, 2024, a meeting was held with state crisis centers for victims of domestic violence in Taldykorgan in Konayev
After the conference, as part of the research project itself, the UMAI program was transferred to the regions that participated in the Umai study as a control group (Taldykorgan and Konayev). According to the Research program, screening, baseline and follow-ups were conducted in these regions along with Almaty among clients of state and public organizations serving key population groups. The data from the surveys and interviews with specialists showed a high need for an effective tool for preventing violence.
Taking into account the recommendations of the coordination councils and the Conference resolution, the Umai program was adapted for the general population of women at high risk of violence in relationships. Based on the results of this work, two sets of tools and manuals for their use were developed: the Umai online program for women from key population groups and for women from the general population. The peculiarities of each group in terms of prevalence of various types of violence, as well as recommendations for safety planning were taken into account. Both tools and manuals were translated into the state language – Kazakh to expand the possibilities for its use.
In the cities of Taldykorgan and Konayev, the program was transferred to state institutions “Centers for Social Assistance to Victims of Domestic Violence” to cover women from the general population and the PF “Amelia” to cover women from key population groups. Negotiations are underway on the possibilities of developing an online application and transferring the “Umai” program to the health care and social protection system (Mental Health Centers. Union of Crisis Centers) for supervision and further distribution throughout the Republic of Kazakhstan.
NGO “Amelia”, created in 2012 by people from key populations (people who use psychoactive substances; sex workers; LGBT+, people living with HIV and affected by tuberculosis), who were united by their work as social workers, outreach workers and peer consultants, who decided to fight against social discrimination against key populations by joint efforts, as well as to have the right to vote for changes in legislation and improve the quality of life. The main areas of activity are outreach work, psychosocial counseling and mutual aid groups, assistance in restoring documents and applying for government services in the e-government, training, workshops and assistance in employment. NGO “Amelia”, being a permanent partner in the research programs of the CGZCA and CNPI, expressed their interest and desire to receive an online program for use by the organization’s specialists in counseling women facing violence. Within the framework of the project, working meetings and visits to crisis services in Taldykorgan and Konayev were held. During such meetings, issues of interaction between non-governmental organizations and government agencies were discussed. When handing over the program and accompanying documents to the NGO “Amelia”, they noted the strengthening of interaction and support of the State Crisis Center in providing assistance to women from key groups, which becomes a good and strong basis for the implementation of the “Umai” program in the region.
Crisis Center for Victims of Domestic Violence in Konayev
The Social Assistance Center for Victims of Domestic Violence in Konayev opened in March 2023. The mission of the Center is to “provide comprehensive assistance and resources to help victims of violence rebuild their lives and create a healthy and safe environment for themselves and their loved ones.” Under the guidance of a social worker, the center will help women overcome life’s difficulties; women will be able to receive 8 different types of special social services free of charge: Legal, Economic, Medical, Social and Labor, Social and Pedagogical, Psychological, Social and Domestic, and Sociocultural. During the study in Konayev, screenings and baseline were conducted with clients of trust points and a friendly office. The meeting with the management of the local department for the coordination of employment and social programs of the Almaty region, Akhmetova Aigul Matanovna, and the director of the Center for Social Assistance to Victims of Domestic Violence, Alpysbaeva Raushan Kuandykovna, which took place on November 25, 2023, opened up opportunities for the implementation of the Umai program in the new crisis center. This program is of practical interest to the social workers of the Center as a tool for preventing cases of violence for the center’s clients at various stages of rehabilitation. During the meeting, opportunities for providing services to women from key groups were discussed. After completing the study, the Center was given the Online Program and Manual for its implementation and use in Kazakh and Russian, for use with both women from key groups and the general population. Presentation of a letter of gratitude to the State Crisis Center Zhan-Saya for active participation in the project and the lives of women exposed to domestic violence.
