Kazakhstan

The institutionalization of gender-responsive policymaking, standard-setting, and accountability mechanisms in Kazakhstan was advanced through the establishment of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Knowledge Centre in Almaty as a permanent, nationally anchored, multi-stakeholder platform. The Centre strengthened the capacity of government institutions, civil society, academia, and the private sector to generate, apply, and use gender-responsive evidence in decision-making, contributing to a more enabling policy environment for women and girls. Its establishment aligned with UN Women’s priority on strengthening sub-regional cooperation and complemented the creation of the UN Women Liaison Office for Central Asia in Kazakhstan, showcasing its leadership in advancing GEWE.As a result, national and local authorities and private sector actors strengthened their capacity to integrate gender equality and intersectional considerations into laws, policies, programmes, and corporate practices. A total of 122 civil servants from central government institutions enhanced competencies in gender expertise, gender-responsive budgeting, and gender-sensitive communication, supporting more inclusive and accountable policymaking. In parallel, 811 local-level officials strengthened their understanding of the Women, Peace and Security agenda and referral mechanisms for women and children affected by gender-based violence.Private sector engagement was expanded in cooperation with the UN Global Compact, reaching 109 representatives from 85 companies. Participants strengthened their knowledge of gender equality and inclusive corporate practices, with a focus on the Women’s Empowerment Principles. This enhanced understanding of actionable measures to advance gender equality in the workplace contributed to improved internal policies and practices, including increased opportunities for women’s leadership and access to decent work.The Centre improved the availability and use of gender data and analysis by producing evidence-based recommendations, supporting gender analysis of legislation and policies, and facilitating structured exchanges of good practices at national and regional levels. It contributed to more informed and gender-responsive policy dialogue and strengthened accountability for gender equality commitments. To sustain its efforts, the Centre maintained a virtual platform accessible to all partners.This outcome was achieved through strategic partnerships with the Government of Kazakhstan and cost-sharing arrangements, including in-kind contributions from the private sector. UN Women’s catalytic role, sustained technical assistance since 2022, and close cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Information and the National Commission on Women and Family-Demographic Policy ensured national ownership and alignment with international gender equality standards, contributing to progress towards SDG 5 and improved conditions for women and girls.

In 2024, Kazakhstan reached a significant result in safeguarding the rights of women and children and protecting them from violence, specifically targeting Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 16 (promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions). In 2024, the Minister of Interior received around 100,000 domestic violence reports, allowing 72,000 protective orders and 16,000 court decisions to be issued. Through the adoption of the Law on Ensuring Women’s Rights and Safety of Children spearheaded by Members of the Parliament with the strong support of Civil Society, UN Kazakhstan under the leadership of UN Women and expert community domestic violence, more specifically minor bodily infliction and assault, has been criminalized. UN Women played a critical role in coordinating UNCT Kazakhstan efforts on the development of comprehensive recommendations for strengthening national legislation, providing expert and methodological support for provision of social services for survivors of violence. Notably, the law reassigned the responsibility for evidence collection in domestic violence cases to law enforcement authorities, thereby alleviating the burden on survivors. Additionally, it obligated the authorities to systematically register and investigate all domestic violence cases, irrespective of whether a formal complaint has been lodged by a survivor. As women and children are the primary survivors of domestic violence, the reinstatement of criminal penalties is expected to strengthen legal protections for 10.3 million women and girls.
Theses legislative reforms enhanced access to legal remedies and social services for survivors of violence in 69 Family Support Centres nationwide and strengthened accountability for perpetrators potentially detering abuse and contributed to broader social change regarding gender-based violence. UN Women provided expert support to the Government on the development of institutional and operational procedures, while local authorities led implementationin each region. Moreover, the criminalisation has raised national awareness of domestic violence issues, helping to challenge societal norms and gender stereotypes. UN Women engaged in media advocacy and key messages discussions with international and diplomatic community through the Extended Gender Theme Group.
Innovatively, the Law has introduced several progressive provisions, including criminal penalties for child harassment, tougher sanctions for torture andsexual crimes againstwomen and children. Administrative penalties are now in place addressing bullying and sexual harassment, including online harassment.
Kazakhstan’s 2024 criminalisation of domestic violence represents a pivotal advancement in the nation’s strategy to protect women and children and uphold fundamental human rights. By strengthening stringent penalties and legal mechanisms, the countryunderscores its commitment to a comprehensive and effective response to domestic violence.

UN Women Kazakhstan achieved a significant milestone in 2023 with the establishment of the Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based Violence (CA Alliance EGBV), whose relevance stems from its unique status as the first regional multi-stakeholder mechanism rooted in both political and voluntary commitments in Central Asia. The Alliance aligns it closely with the objectives of the Generation Equality Forum (GEF) to expedite the fulfilment of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the commitments of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and SDGs. Committed to a minimum of 30% youth representation, membership is open to a range of members including civil society groups, activists, youth movements, networks, state and private sector entities, academics, and the UN. It welcomes both organizations and individuals committed to addressing GBV.
Acting through a Secretariat, hosted by UN Women and facilitated by the generous support of the Government of Kazakhstan, the Alliance was strategically initiated by UN Women. Notably, the Alliance obtained support from Government of Kazakhstan, securing USD 400,000 in funding, which confirms political will and buy-in. This funding will support operational activities to achieve its key objectives: providing opportunities for country-specific projects, undertaking joint advocacy initiatives to address GBV, strengthening knowledge management, fostering regional exchanges, and promoting joint engagement in regional and global dialogues. The Alliance targets SDG 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3. It also directly contributes to UNSDCF Strategic Priority 2: Peace, Effective Institutions, Human Rights and Gender Equality.
The CA Alliance EGBV focuses on empowering regional civil society by enhancing the capabilities of grassroots entities in raising legal awareness to combat injustice and eradicate violence, and championing women's rights through advocacy campaigns. By doing so, the Alliance bolsters equal opportunities for women across civil, political, social, economic, and cultural spheres, and engages men and boys in fighting GBV. Through advocacy, joint planning, and participation in regional cooperation platforms like the ‘Women's Dialogue of Central Asian Countries’, the Alliance seeks to foster enhance and unified national legislation legal frameworks against GBV across the region.
The Alliance represents a leading coordination structure. In November 2023, more than 100 participants from governments, UN, CSOs, and activists discussed their vision and plans during a conference that evidenced its unifying potential. This marked the inaugural gathering of the Alliance, which will be convened annually, serving as a platform for strategizing, assessing, and documenting collaborative efforts against GBV.
Media link: https://astanatimes.com/2023/06/central-asian-alliance-to-end-gender-based-violence-launches-in-almaty/

Over 8 thousand women in all regions of Kazakhstan significantly increased their economic opportunities by accessing services provided by 17 Women's Entrepreneurship Development Centres (hereinafter - Centres), recently established with UN Women’s support in all regions of the country.
Results include:

In 2022, these 8,705 women (the majority from rural areas) received 26,386 specific services, including training on improving managerial and entrepreneurial skills, expanding market opportunities, improving access to finance, and enhancing networking dialogues.
Moreover, 1, 208 women (13% of women received assistance) expanded their businesses, and 723 women (8%) opened new businesses. In addition, 183 additional jobs were created for women in difficult life situations. Women were mostly interested in opening businesses in sewing, beauty services, the production of bakery and confectionery products, as well as in agriculture.
4 women entrepreneurs with successful business initiatives, who received support through the Centres, were acknowledged with the influential National Business Recognition Award “Aru Ana” in 2022.
Also, the establishment of 17 Centres was one of Kazakhstan’s commitments announced at the Generation Equality Forum under the Action Coalition on advancing Economic Justice and Rights.

This initiative was designed and implemented at the national scale for achieving wide coverage and long-term impact on the economic development of the country. Participation of UN Women, UNDP, ADB, the National Women’s Machinery and the Government ensured the integration of international practices and innovative approaches. Moreover, in 2022 the Government of Kazakhstan provided additional USD 6.5 million from the state budget for sustainability and further development of Centres in 2023-2025. UN Women executed the project using non-core funds generously provided by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. UN Women actively contributed to the institutional development of the Centres through provision of methodological assistance, and development of training programs designed with a gender perspective for women’s entrepreneurship.
The most creative aspect of this initiative was the implementation of the Japanese concept of “One village – one product” led by local communities’ residents, based on the concept of developing one village product where local agricultural products or specialty products were used. A success story was the business case of Gulnaz Abdualiyeva from the Kordai district of the Zhambyl region. Mother of many children and business lady Gulnaz was engaged in growing hops and produced confectionery, pillows, drinks, and bread products. To date, she has created a cooperative of rural women who grow hops in a one-hectare area. Women have developed unique recipes and the products already have their own customers.
https://atameken.kz/ru/news/48139-hmel-stanet-brendom-kordajskogo-rajona-v-ramkah-proekta-odno-selo--odin-produkt