Issues of combating domestic violence against women and girls discussed in Geneva

Geneva, September 26, 2022 - Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan together with delegations of Finland, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Malaysia, Japan, UN Women, UNFPA and International Planned Parenthood Federation organized a hybrid event on the margins of the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council aimed to address root causes of domestic violence against women and girls and support the victims.

The honourable panelists included Ms. Melissa Upreti, Chair of the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls, Ms. Satu Lidman Adjunct Professor at the University of Turku, Ms. Elvira Azimova, Kazakhstan’s Ombudsperson, Ms. Ayman Umarova, Kazakh human rights lawyer, Ms. Monica Ferro, Director of UNFPA Geneva, and Ms. Anna Parini, UN Women Liaison Office Geneva and UN Women Programme Manager. The event was moderated by Ms. Estelle Wagner from IPPF.

Kazakhstan has been making steady progress in protecting women's rights and promoting gender equality. In his statement, Permanent Representative Yerlan Alimbayev shared Kazakhstan’s experience in addressing domestic violence against women and girls and protecting victims.

At the same time, Kazakhstan, being a full member of the UN Human Rights Council, transparently raises this issue on the main UN human rights platform, and calls on the international community to take active joint actions.

In line with the message of the President Tokayev’s Address to the nation on September 1, the country remains committed to ensure that no victim of domestic violence is left behind. Kazakhstan will continue to engage with the UN human rights mechanisms and member-states in this regard.

More than 70 delegates and experts from UN member states and NGOs participated in the event and exchanged views on the ways forward.

Protection of the rights of women and girls is one of the priorities of Kazakhstan's membership in the UN HRC in 2022-2024.