Women’s crucial role in achieving interfaith harmony and social well-being

Despite many efforts to progress women equality agenda globally, there is a lot
more that yet needs to be done. While promotion of gender equality in business,
politics and social sectors often makes the headlines, one area that is rarely
considered is equality in the sphere of interfaith work, religious dialogue and in
connection with this is the contribution of women to conflict resolution and
peacebuilding. Religion has historically been more associated with men. This is
unsurprising given that for years women have struggled to gain equality in all
areas of life—from the home to the workplace, and especially in positions of
leadership. Yet religion plays a significant role in the lives of women. In the
United States alone, 86% of women are affiliated with a religion, with 63%
saying that religion is important in their lives.
Women can play a significant role as peacemakers, supporters of nonviolence
and tolerance, and contribute to interfaith harmony and dialogue between
different cultures and civilizations. An International Peace Institute study of 182
signed peace agreements between 1989 and 2011 found that when women are
included in peace processes, there is a 35 percent increase in the probability that
a peace agreement will last 15 years or more. Evidence indicates that female
participants in peace processes are usually focused less on the spoils of the war
and more on reconciliation, economic development, education and transitional
justice – all critical elements of a sustained peace. Yet despite these positive
statistics, women are often excluded from formal peace processes. Between
1992 and 2019, women constituted, on average, 13 percent of negotiators, 6
percent of mediators, and 6 percent of signatories in major peace processes
around the world. In this regard, it is important to note that Kazakhstan adopted
its first National Action Plan on UN Security Council resolution 1325 on
Women, Peace and Security agenda in December 2021.
It is therefore vital that societies promote the inclusion of women in efforts to
build bridges between communities and countries, particularly those with
varying religious beliefs and ethnicities.
On 14-15 September, Kazakhstan will host the VII Congress of Leaders of
World and Traditional Religions. While the event will primarily focus on the
role of faith leaders in the socio-spiritual development of humanity in the post-
pandemic period, one of the sections of the Congress is dedicated to the
contribution of women to the well-being and sustainable development of

society. The objective is to find ways for religious leaders to make and consider
proposals on promoting the role of women. This year’s Congress will be
significant withseveral high-ranking religious leaders are expected to attend,
including Pope Francis, Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb, Patriarch
Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel David
Lau, and Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel Yitzhak Yosef, as well as many other
spiritual leaders. This level of participation creates an important opportunity to
facilitate the creation of a global atmosphere of peace and tolerance.
Over the last few years Kazakhstan has made significant efforts in promoting
gender equality in society with positive results. Women make up 48.1 percent of
the workforce in the country and 48.9 percent of workers. Women are highly
represented in businesses. The number of women-led businesses increased by
9.1 percent over the year and reached 625,100 companies by the end of 2021.
The number of female entrepreneurs under 29 also increased by 37.2 percent
and reached 88,700 people. Women’s entrepreneurship contributes about 40
percent to the country’s GDP. The progress achieved to date showcases the
importance and meaningful contribution of women to the economy.
There is, of course, room for improvement. For example, in terms of gender pay
gap men earn 21.7 percent more than women in similar sectors. Nevertheless,
the government of Kazakhstan has made the promotion and protection of
women a top priority. Last year, President Tokayev signed a decree "On further
measures of Kazakhstan in the field of human rights", which includes the
elimination of discrimination against women. The discussion of the role of
women at the upcoming Congress is very much in line with the government’s
priorities.
Kazakhstan is also home to more than 100 ethnicities and representatives of 18
religious groups. . Such level of diversity of the country has encouraged us to
convene the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which has
been held in Kazakhstan since 2003.
As the role of women in society continues to expand and gender equality
becomes a greater goal, it is important to ensure that women are also able to
play a key role in interfaith work, as well as in peacebuilding and mediation. To
resolve many of the current global challenges, including geopolitical crises and
ongoing conflicts, it is necessary to utilise the skills that women possess. While
just one event will not solve this issue outright, the upcoming VII Congress of
Leaders of World and Traditional Religions will contribute to consolidating
efforts in achieving progress in eliminating gender imbalance in religion, and
developing new ideas and recommendations on expanding the role of women.

Ms Lazzat Ramazanova, Deputy Chairperson of the Presidential National
Commission on Women Affairs and Demographic Policy of the Republic of
Kazakhstan