Outcome KAZ_D_1.3

By 2025, state institutions at all levels effectively design and implement gender-sensitive, human rights and evidence-based public policies and provide quality services in an inclusive, transparent and accountable manner (UNSDCF Outcome 2.2.)

The outcome has not been achieved, however, UN Women Kazakhstan made progress on the outcome in 2024 . The development and presentation of a Methodology for conducting gender expertise of regulatory legal acts, based on international practices , represents a significant advancement in promoting gender-sensitive governance. This methodology, supported by national partners, paves the way for the integration of gender equality considerations into the legislative process, ensuring more inclusive and equitable legal frameworks. In addition, over 60 representatives of central, legislative, executive and judicial bodies significantly increased their potential in the integration of gender aspects and gender analysis in the legislative and normative acts. Furthermore, the development of a master's academic program in "Gender Studies" represents an innovative approach to integrating gender-oriented perspectives and promoting non-discrimination within the national education system. Supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, this program, set to launch in 2025 at the National Women’s Pedagogical University, offers a significant step towards advancing gender equality and fostering a more inclusive and responsive educational environment. Moreover, UN Women, in partnership with national stakeholders, spearheaded a significant initiative by preparing a comprehensive study “Towards Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Kazakhstan: A Study of OECD Standards.” This high-impact endeavour assessed Kazakhstan’s alignment with OECD gender equality standards across critical areas such as education, employment, entrepreneurship, and public life, reflecting global best practices and international recommendations. Building upon the insights from this study, a transformative Roadmap and action plan were developed to address systemic challenges, foster inclusive policies, and strengthen international cooperation. This demonstrates an important advancement toward achieving sustainable, equitable progress in gender equality across Kazakhstan’s socio-economic landscape, positioning the nation as a leader in inclusive development. Moreover, UN Women, through a collaborative approach, enhanced the awareness of national partners about access to quality social services through the comprehensive analysis titled “Family Support Centers in Kazakhstan: Development Concept and Financial and Economic Assessment” to strengthen national policies and social services in combating gender-based violence. By enhancing the capacity of national partners, the study assessed the current state of Family Support Centers (FSCs) and provided actionable recommendations for their development. As a result, on June 14, 2024, the Order of the Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, “On Approval of the Rules for the Activities of Family Support Centers” No. 34499, was officially issued. This significant outcome reflects the strengthened capacity of national partners to implement sustainable, effective solutions that address gender-based violence, fostering a more responsive and resilient support system for survivors. Considering notable UN Women’s results in providing substantial support to state institutions at all levels effectively designing and implementing gender-sensitive, human rights and evidence-based public policies and providing quality services in an inclusive, transparent and accountable manner, the original strategy and Theory of Change for this outcome is largely applicable.

By 2025, state institutions at all levels effectively design and implement gender-sensitive, human rights and evidence-based public policies and provide quality services in an inclusive, transparent and accountable manner (UNSDCF Outcome 2.2.)

The outcome has not been achieved, however, UN Women Kazakhstan made progress on the outcome in 2022. Gender Responsive Budgeting further advanced in the country with country office support. The country had access to evidence of gender sensitivity in current budgeting processes through a deep gender analysis of a local administration in the Akmola region and the Ministry of Education and Science. This analysis was provided by UN Women, in cooperation with the Ministry of National Economy. The findings of the analysis were widely disseminated by UN Women and partners, including its presentation at the High-Level Political Forum during Kazakhstan’s Voluntary National Review event in May 2022. The key findings of the gender analysis were published on the website of the High-Level Political Forum https://hlpf.un.org/countries/kazakhstan/voluntary-national-review-2022 . UN Women contributed to this result through its expert and technical support in revealing areas for further strengthening in the field of education, healthcare and social protection. UN Women provided recommendations based off of these trends in the planning and implementation of strategic and program documents. Almost all of the identified trends are applicable to all regions of the country in different variations and ratios. The development of additional capacity-building efforts will remain one of the priority tasks of state policy. UN Women strengthened partnerships with the Government of Kazakhstan as well as state and private expert institutions for ensuring comprehensive assessment and concrete recommendations for integrating gender aspects into the planning and budgeting processes at the local and national levels. It is expected by partners that Gender-responsive budget analysis, along with legislation, and other practical policy measures will address gender bias and discrimination. In a long run, it will have an impact and contribute to the accountability to women’s rights, but also towards greater public transparency and can shift economic policies leading to gains across communities. UN Women in cooperation with the National Women’s Machinery plan to continue the further promotion of Gender Responsive Budgeting in 2023, and a new project proposal has been submitted to the Government of Kazakhstan, thus the original strategy and ToC for this outcome is largely still applicable.

By 2025, state institutions at all levels effectively design and implement gender-sensitive, human rights and evidence-based public policies and provide quality services in an inclusive, transparent and accountable manner (UNSDCF Outcome 2.2.)

The outcome has not been achieved, however, UN Women Kazakhstan made progress on the outcome in 2023. Local government institutions in three regions of Kazakhstan increased their awareness about gender-specific needs of women living with HIV and importance of coordination among the stakeholders, as well as issues of reduced opportunities, stigma and discrimination against women living with HIV, with UN Women support. Informed by the rich discussions and insights gained from these meetings, participants collaborated to formulate actionable plans ensuring that the voices and experiences of women living with HIV remain central in future interventions. Also, Kazakhstan further implemented the National Action Plan of UNSCR 1325, with UN Women contribution. 105 female military personnel, law enforcement agencies, as well as peacekeeping units of the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Defence, and 292 representatives who participated online (45% women and 55% men) strengthened their capacity in women’s role on preventing and resolving conflict situations, ensuring peace and security Officials of the Ministry for Emergency Situations, the senior management of local administrations, and the deputy director of the Academy of Interior highly recognized the knowledge and skills obtained by the personnel and decision-makers in the field of Women, Peace, and Security. Furthermore, in Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Culture and Information and other partners increased their awareness about the high demand for changes in the national legislation for the development of the creative industry with UN Women support. UN Women conducted an analysis of women employed in the arts and culture sphere and developed recommendat ions for addressing barriers and normative gaps. Moreover, 54 representatives of the creative industry in 8 regions of the country increased their capacities through a series of training and seminars aimed at raising awareness of the target audience for coordinated actions. Moreover, national partners in implementation of international commitments under the auspice of the Generation Equality Forum’s Action Coalitions significantly increased their engagement and capacity. UN Women contributed to this result through the guidance and coordination of GEF Hub as well as technical support to various government bodies and civil society on the implementation of the GEF commitments. During the reporting period, 17 representatives (89% women and 11% men) of the National monitoring group comprising 10 government and non-governmental sector organizations strengthened the interdepartmental coordination towards institutionalizing the country's GEF commitments. Moreover, over 80 representatives of government representatives, private sector organizations, CSOs, academia, and youth activists accessed a platform for the Regional GEF Midpoint Event in Almaty that reinforced cooperation in the field of “Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality”. Stakeholders from diverse sectors across Europe and Central Asia took stock of the progress and enhanced existing commitments under the UN Women’s Global Generation Equality initiative. The midpoint event welcomed new 15 commitment-makers from 7 countries to the Generation Equality journey and spotlighted their commitments. UN Women in cooperation with the Government of Kazakhstan, as well as youth organizations and expert communities, will continue the further promotion and localization of the GEF movement in 2024, thus the original strategy and ToC for this outcome is largely still applicable.