On March 7, 2019 UNDP Kazakhstan took part in the FemAgora - Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Festival organized by feminist organizations supporting gender equality in Kazakhstan and Central Asia that joined together to raise the discussion in society about female rights and gender issues.

Over the past 14 years, Kazakhstan has adopted a number of gender-related policies and laws, ranging from the “Strategy for gender equality of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2006-2016” to the law that guarantees equal rights and equal opportunities for men and women. Despite the many laws, policies and plans put in place to promote gender equality, the political empowerment of women remains largely unchanged. For instance, 21.5% of parliamentarians in the EECCA region (Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia) are currently women, a trend increased from 14.5% to 21.5% between 2006 and 2016 (UNDP in Eurasia). In Kazakhstan only 10.5% of political civil servants are women (22.2% of the total number of parliamentarians). This trend is associated with the “glass ceiling” - invisible but strong barriers to career growth and political participation.

Irina Goryunova, UNDP Assistant Resident Representative, emphasized that “gender equality is a right. This right, like any other constitutional right, will enable civil society to develop and improve its political, social and economic opportunities with dignity. It will also help to find new solutions to problems, especially in the participation of women in politics. FemAgora platform is a step towards the realization of these rights, as well as an invaluable contribution to the achievement of 17 global Sustainable Development Goals. Goal 5 on gender equality states that until 2030 countries must ensure the full and effective participation of women and equal opportunities for them to lead at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life”.

UNDP Kazakhstan believes that an active civil society and developed leadership qualities of women can help to eradicate the socio-cultural stereotypes about gender roles, the organizational culture of the civil service focused on men, stereotypical association of women with traditional spheres. UNDP has undertaken a number of activities to involve women in working groups to recommend laws. Our work includes showing best practices to the members of the public and civil sectors, providing expert assessment of the gender perspective in social policies and the development of leadership skills of women and girls. UNDP has recently worked with the civil sector to develop the CEDAW report (Committee on the elimination of discrimination against women) and will soon be supporting the state and NGOs in the Beijing +25 report.