For much of its history, the societies of Central Asia have wrestled with deeply embedded systems of gender inequality. Social expectations, economic constraints, and institutional barriers have long hindered the full participation of women in public life. Kazakhstan has not been immune to this historical burden. But over the past decade, something fundamental has shifted.
Today, Kazakhstan is laying the groundwork for a new model of gender equality in a region often overlooked in global conversations about women’s rights and leadership. While we are the first to admit that challenges remain, we are equally clear-eyed about the progress made, which is measurable in terms of political representation, legal reforms, and economic empowerment.
Over the past decade, Kazakhstan has taken deliberate steps to institutionalize gender equality, embedding it across the legal framework, economic policy, and state governance. One of the most consequential shifts has been in the economic sphere. By the end of 2024, women accounted for more than 48% of small and medium-sized business owners in Kazakhstan. This rise is not coincidental – it is the result of sustained government support, targeted financing, and international partnerships that have enabled women to access capital, training, and cross-border market opportunities.
For instance, the “Women in Business” program, implemented with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, has provided nearly $190 million in sub-loans to support women-led enterprises. These programs offer mentorship, international internships, and professional development – tools that have proven essential in translating ambition into impact. In the corporate sector, women now make up 43% of senior managers, surpassing national targets.
Such efforts are not only fair but also make sound economic sense. Investing in women entrepreneurs has helped diversify the national economy, generated jobs, and fostered a culture of competition and innovation – key ingredients in long-term development. As Kazakhstan advances the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) agenda and seeks to reduce reliance on natural resources, women’s inclusion in economic decision-making is imperative.
Kazakhstan’s leadership has recognized that sustainable change requires more than economic access – it also demands political voice. In recent years, a 30% quota was introduced for women, youth, and people with disabilities in Parliament, aimed at ensuring more inclusive representation. The government is also taking steps to raise the share of women to 30% in the governing bodies of state-owned companies.
These changes are part of a broader shift in national gender policy, which has moved from short-term programs to long-term institutional planning. The updated Concept of Family and Gender Policy sets an ambitious benchmark for women’s representation across the executive, judiciary, and corporate sectors by 2030.
But numbers alone are not enough. What matters is how these figures are translated into influence. The presence of women in public life – whether as CEOs, parliamentarians, or diplomats – is reshaping norms, expanding expectations, and inspiring the next generation of leaders in a country where, not long ago, such roles were seen as exceptions.
The Law as a Catalyst for Change
One of the most significant developments in 2024 was the passage of the Law on Ensuring the Rights of Women and the Safety of Children. This legislation marked a watershed moment in Kazakhstan’s approach to domestic violence and gender-based discrimination.
The law also signals a cultural shift. By treating gender-based violence as a systemic issue rather than a private one, Kazakhstan is fostering a culture of accountability and collective responsibility – a prerequisite for any country that seeks to lead by example in the international human rights sphere.
These reforms are part of a broader framework under Kazakhstan’s Human Rights Action Plan, which includes ongoing efforts to eliminate discrimination against women and promote gender equality at all levels of society. In line with best UN practices, the government last year adopted a new 2024-2027 plan to ensure equal rights for men and women.
Progress Through Global Partnerships
Kazakhstan’s progress on gender equality has not occurred in isolation. By participating in three UN Generation Equality Action Coalitions, Kazakhstan has become an active partner in global efforts to reduce gender disparities.
In 2023, under the regional program of the Spotlight Initiative for Central Asia and Afghanistan, and with the support from the European Union and the Government of Kazakhstan, the Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based Violence was launched in Almaty, our biggest city. This marked an important step toward regional coordination in tackling one of the most persistent barriers to gender equality.
The international community recognized this momentum: earlier this year, the UN General Assembly unanimously voted in favor of the establishment of a UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty – affirming Kazakhstan’s growing role as a center for inclusive and rights-based development. The initiative to create this hub was first announced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the UN General Assembly session in 2019. Recently, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe also expressed support for Kazakhstan’s initiative.
Special attention is also being given to the participation of women in peacekeeping missions, the implementation of commitments under UN Security Council Resoluton 1325. Notably, seven Kazakh women are currently serving in UN peacekeeping missions abroad.
Importantly, international models have been adapted to suit national contexts. Kazakhstan was the first country in Eurasia to join the World Economic Forum’s Gender Parity Accelerator, bringing together state agencies, financial institutions, and private sector leaders in a joint effort to address structural inequalities. Programs like the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, supported by global donors, are helping build capacity at the grassroots level – with more than 130 graduates and 100 currently enrolled.
The Road Ahead
None of this is to suggest that Kazakhstan has resolved all gender-related challenges. Social stereotypes persist, and gender-based violence remains a concern. Kazakhstan’s 76th position out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index shows progress, but it also indicates that we must continue to do better, especially in political empowerment.
There is value in acknowledging both progress and problems. It is precisely this honesty – and the willingness to adapt – that gives Kazakhstan’s gender reforms credibility.
We do not present ourselves as a finished product. But we do believe that our journey offers insight into how emerging economies can advance gender equity through law and long-term investment.
In a world where the conversation on gender is often polarized, Kazakhstan’s experience reminds us that progress is possible – even in places where the odds once seemed long.
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