Paper long abstract:

This paper seeks to look at the way that in Kyrgyzstan men's roles in bride kidnapping (the process of kidnapping a woman and forcing her into marriage) is more complicated than often reported, and that there is often more resistance from the supposed groom than might be expected. By considering men's experiences in situations of bride kidnapping the paper sheds new light on understandings of bride kidnapping and the gendered dynamics at play.

In a number of countries throughout Central Asia the practice of bride kidnapping has reemerged in the Post-Soviet period, often as an expression of bringing back 'traditional' culture. How this issue has been managed varies through the region. In Kyrgyzstan, while the practice is technically illegal, the enforcement of the law is limited for variety reasons. These women are taken by force, and are often subjected to rape. This practice is part of a large-scale system of roles and regulations that constrain the actors in a variety of ways.

Building on the work of Borbieva (2012) and Kim (2016), this paper shows a lack of engagement with men's roles and relations within the bride kidnapping process. Through an analysis of interviews with men who have been involved in bride kidnappings and in-depth fieldwork throughout various parts of Kyrgyzstan, this paper builds a complex and nuanced portrait of the broader system of relations and roles that comprise the process of bride kidnapping. In this paper we argue for the need for further research and analysis of the roles that men play in these interactions, and how these roles are not simply one of men's simple exertion of authority, but are more complicated than they might at first appear.

This paper is part of a larger project connected with research done with UN Women.