Strasbourg Welcomes Progress in Implementing Gender Equality Reforms in Kazakhstan

Strasbourg, May 31, 2024 – Ms. Aiman Umarova, representative of the National Commission for Women's Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, participated in the high-level Conference titled «United around Gender Equality: Making Space for Women and Girls» organized on the occasion of the 10^th Anniversary of the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

Under the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of Europe, the event aimed to renew the strong political commitment of all member states and partners of the Council of Europe to ensure gender equality.

The conference was inaugurated by Secretary General Ms. Marija Pejčinović Burić and the Vice-Minister of Social Protection and Labor of the Republic of Lithuania, Justina Jakštienė.

Ms. Pejčinović Burić emphasized «The Istanbul Convention is a landmark treaty in the fight to end violence against women and domestic violence. This violence injures, intimidates, and suppresses its victims, undermining their freedom, security, and potential. Until this battle is won – and it must be won – true gender equality cannot be achieved».

Ms. Jakštienė stated «Gender equality is a fundamental human right. It is not just a women's issue, it is a human issue that affects us all. As the title of this conference suggests, it should unite us, not divide us».

The conference also featured a speech by Caroline Criado Perez, writer, television host, speaker, feminist campaigner, and author of the book «Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men».

During the session, a new Gender Equality Strategy for 2024-2029 was presented.

In her turn, Ms. Umarova noted that recent changes in national legislation, signed by President of Kazakhstan K. Tokayev, contribute to the protection of women’s and children’s rights and will lead to positive changes in society. She emphasized that Kazakhstan is doing everything possible to strengthen the role of women and achieve gender balance in political, economic, and social spheres.

Ambassador of the Netherlands, Ms. Tanja Gonggrijp, Chair of the Committee of the Parties to the Convention, noted the positive changes in Kazakhstan and added that the Council of Europe is confident that Kazakhstan will serve as an example for other countries.

Representatives from Finland and the United Kingdom also expressed their high appreciation for the new measures taken by Kazakhstan.

In April 2020, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe invited Kazakhstan to join the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, and our country is currently studying the Convention while reforming its domestic violence legislation.