The second of three art workshops organized as a part of the Say NO - UNiTE information and awareness raising campaign in Kyrgyzstan was held at the Koldo Art Gallery in Bishkek on 4 May 2010. The workshop participants painted oil and watercolor paintings, decorative plates and vases devoted to one topic - A Life Free from Violence. The created works of art will be sold during an auction to be held in summer 2010. The proceeds will be used for the needs of crisis centers in Kyrgyzstan.

The information campaign “Kyrgyzstan, It's Time to Act!" was launched in March 2010 wit the aim to draw attention and consolidate efforts of representatives of various sectors of society, i.e. civil society, private sector, sports, business and mass media, to jointly combat violence against women in Kyrgyzstan.

This time, among others, the following individuals demonstrated artistic skills and fantasy and created original works: Talgar Jakshylykov, soloist at the Kyrgyz Opera, Kanybek Osmonaliev, Olympic Champion and World and European Champion in weight-lifting, Ishim Kutmanaliev, former President of the National Olympic Committee, legends of Kyrgyz football Majit Kozhanov, Yusup Musaev and Almaz Chokmorov, and famous artists like Nurdamir Kongurbaev, Talant Ogobaev or Bolotbek Karakeev.

Talant Ogobaev, a prominent artist, shared his impressions: "Having learned statistics and scale of violence against women today, I look differently on the status of women in Kyrgyzstan. It cannot be tolerated that our women suffer discrimination and violence. That is why the canvas I painted today was inspired by the art work of the famous artist Semyon Chuikov "The daughter of a Soviet Kirgizia". It’s a painting about a young woman aspiring to gain knowledge, to develop and to progress".

There are currently 13 crisis centers and two shelters in Kyrgyzstan. Every year 7,500-8,000 women apply to these crises centers for help. Of 13 centers only one center was allocated municipal premises, whereas the remaining centers pay the lease fee. Crisis centers do need regular investments in order to keep permanent staff, develop their capacity, strengthen infrastructure for provision of efficient and effective help for the clients.

The first art workshop with participation of high-level officials of state bodies, international organizations and large businesses such as Kumtor Operating Company, International Business Council and etc., was held in March, 2010.

Since the launch more than 15 partner organizations joined the initiative, including National Olympic Committee, Soros Foundation – Kyrgyzstan, Association of Crises Centers, Development and Cooperation in Central Asia Public Fund, Rotary Club – Bishkek, Kumtor Operating Company, American University – Central Asia, Alliance of Women Legislative Initiatives network, Y-Peer youth network, Ombudsman Institute, Union of Artists of the Kyrgyz Republic, Koldo art gallery and others.