Bride Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan

The term "ala kachuu," which means "to grab and run" or "to take and run away"

and is also used to refer to "bride kidnapping," is thought to have originated from the

nomadic lifestyle that the people of Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Uzbek, Turkmen, and Tajik nations

lead, when the men would seize their prospective wives while riding horses

(Chowdhurry, 2020). Usually, a group of men carry it out. After the groom selects his

partners, the party sets out to find a woman the groom believes would make a suitable

wife. The group of men pick the woman up off the street and toss her inside the car

without consulting her. The woman is brought to the man's residence, where wedding

preparations have already started, unsure of what would happen next. (WorldAtlas,

2017).

Bride kidnapping is an occurrence I've never heard of, and I find it hard to believe

that it happens in a different country. In considering the fact that this is a cultural custom

that their ancestors passed down to them and that they have no control over changing,

it is essential that we deal with it respectfully and with an awareness of the cultural

context. It frequently has violent, coercive, and forceful aspects. The consent of many

women who are subjected to this way may be doubtful for the most part, and they

frequently suffer from physical and psychological distress. The feeling of helplessness

experienced by the women involved might be exacerbated by the pressure from families

and communities to approve of the marriage following the kidnapping culture.

 The women involved in kidnapping may suffer serious emotional and physical

injuries as a result of coercion and even violent acts. The idea that the girl could have to

forfeit her education and, essentially, her dignity in order to be married scares and

disgusts me. Since the only thing the women could do was accept their faith, I felt

terrible for them. Because it frequently includes compulsion and can result in forced

marriages, some may view it as a violation of human rights even though it's only a

means for them to preserve their cultural identity and traditional values. It disrespects

women's autonomy to select their relationships and upholds gender inequality.

I may not be able to exercise authority over their country, but some individuals

had to let go and be given the freedom to choose their partner without hindrance. The

number of divorces will rise dramatically as a result of kidnapping; even those who were

incredibly in love before marriage eventually divorced. I recognize that it's a cultural

problem and that we may not fully understand it, but they ought to be conscious of the

rights they are infringing.

Legal changes and their implementation can be extremely important in protecting

people from the coercion and violence involved in bride kidnapping. Advocates and

international groups contend that laws should be passed to protect people from being

coerced into marriage and that these kinds of activities should be eradicated. Despite

the fact that the Kyrgyz government has enacted legislation opposing this practice and
defending women's rights, in reality, a system that ignores the actions of those who

engage in it silences the voices of women (ANUE, 2021).

Understanding bride kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan requires an in-depth knowledge

of cultural norms, human rights, and the need for positive social change. It's a complex

issue that necessitates finding a careful balance between protecting cultural traditions

and ensuring the freedom and welfare of those who may be harmed by this ritual,

particularly women.