In order to implement the national plan of action for achieving gender equality in the Kyrgyz Republic for the period 2002-2006, approved by Presidential Decree No. 52 of March 2002, and the aforementioned Matrix of Activities, staff from the justice department in the Jalal-Abad region and staff from civil registry offices and public notary offices carried out awareness-raising activities among the public, workers’ collectives and students, including explanations of certain traditional practices, such as bride theft and the betrothal of young girls.