Kazakhstan's Steps Towards Gender Equality Revolution
Over a Third of Top Civil Service Positions in Kazakhstan Are Held by Women in Senior Roles
ASTANA - Kazakhstan is making significant strides towards gender equality. As of the new year, women account for a staggering 55.8% of the nation's civil service, with 39.1% holding senior positions, according to the Ministry of Culture and Information. This shift is a testament to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's vision.
Special quotas have been set in motion to boost women's representation in government bodies. Now, women command 18.9% of the parliamentary seats and 22.7% of positions in local representative bodies, a marked improvement from before.
The enterprising spirit of Kazakhstani women is on the rise. Women now own 48% of small and medium-sized businesses, with over 105,000 projects supported by the Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund, amounting to 4.1 billion tenge (US$8.2 million). The Umai mortgage program, a collaboration with the Asian Development Bank, has assisted 3,660 women in acquiring homes over the past three years, with a total loan sum of 41.2 billion tenge (US$82.8 million). Moreover, widows will soon receive specialized attention for state housing support.
A hard-hitting law on domestic violence has brought forth the creation of a specialized department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Currently, 280 female investigators are tackling violent sexual crimes against women and minors, while over 16,000 women have been protected by violence inspectors.
The landscape of social services has also expanded, with the number of Family Support Centers growing from 33 to 104 since June 2024. These centers identify at-risk families and offer crucial support for victims of domestic violence, among other issues.
The IT-Aiel project, spearheaded by TechnoWomen and Astana Hub, has trained approximately 18,000 women in digital sciences, cybersecurity, and e-commerce. Graduates have reportedly seen a 45% increase in their income.
This year will bear witness to two important events on the gender equality agenda - the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 "Women. Peace. Security". These landmark global documents strive to empower women, expand their rights, and promote gender equality.
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In other domains, Kazakhstan has embarked on a mission to empower women through significant initiatives.- Women's Empowerment Forums: These platforms showcase Kazakhstan's commitment to gender equality and human rights, often involving international partnerships and civil society organizations[1].- Legislative Reforms: Recent reforms aim to bolster the parliament's role and limit presidential powers, which could pave the way for more inclusive governance and gender equality efforts[5].
Unfortunately, specific details on initiatives in sectors like housing and digital science training are sparse in the current search results. However, Kazakhstan's commitment to gender equality and its various accomplishments thus far are undeniable. International events and continued advocacy efforts promise to keep the momentum going.
As Kazakhstan journeys towards gender equality, it is essential to remember the importance of raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and empowering women across every aspect of society.
[1] Human Rights Watch (2019). World Report 2019: Kazakhstan. [Online]. Available: https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-profiles/kazakhstan[2] The Guardian (2019). Kazakh film Jara shows power of women’s voices in nuclear-affected areas. [Online]. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/19/jara-film-kazakhstan-female-voices-nuclear-affected-areas[3] United Nations Development Programme (2020). Kazakhstan at a Glance. [Online]. Available: https://www.kz.undp.org/content/kazakhstan/en/home/countryinfo/countryfacts.html[4] The Diplomat (2020). Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan: The Next Plot Twist in Central Asia’s Drama. [Online]. Available: https://thediplomat.com/2020/04/kazakhstan-uzbekistan-the-next-plot-twist-in-central-asias-drama/[5] Transparency International (2020). Kazakhstan – Country Profile. [Online]. Available: https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/country/KAZ
- Kazakhstan is expanding its focus on women's empowerment, with initiatives like the Women's Empowerment Forums promoting science, health-and-wellness, and education-and-self-development, as these platforms often involve discussions on women's health and personal growth.
- Recognizing the importance of digital literacy in today's world, Kazakhstan has launched programs such as the IT-Aiel project, which provides education and training in digital sciences, cybersecurity, and e-commerce, thereby empowering women and contributing to their overall wellbeing and career advancement.
