OECD Development Center Briefed on New Measures to Combat Domestic Violence in Kazakhstan

Paris, April 30, 2024 – Askar Abdrakhmanov, Permanent Delegate of Kazakhstan to International Organizations in Paris, met with Ragnheiður Árnadóttir, Director of the Development Centre (DEV) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The parties discussed Kazakhstan’s participation in the Index of Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI), as well as in the Policy Dialogue on Natural Resource-based Development. Within the framework of the Policy Dialogue the participating countries including Kazakhstan are discussing measures to decarbonize industries and a fair energy transition.

The Ambassador informed his counterpart about the amendments to the national legislation recently signed by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev improving the safety of women and children, in particular the criminalization of domestic violence, tougher penalties for all forms of violence against children and a set of preventive measures in this area.

It was noted that with relatively favorable data on gender equality in the SIGI 2023 Index, Kazakhstan’s indicators, like for many other countries, were noticeably weaker on the Restricted Physical Integrity. The adopted legislative measures are designed to counteract and strictly punish violations and discrimination of women’s rights in this sphere.

The OECD DEV Director welcomed the new concrete measures taken in Kazakhstan to protect women and children from domestic violence and noted that they contribute to the further development of society in accordance with advanced international standards.

In conclusion, the parties agreed to continue a regular dialogue on the above-mentioned areas of interaction.

Kazakhstan has been a member of the OECD Development Centre since 2015. Established in 1961, this body unites 54 countries and serves as an independent platform for knowledge exchange and policy dialogue between OECD members and developing countries on equal footing. SIGI – Social Institutions & Gender Index evaluates the level of discrimination against women and identifies the main factors of gender inequality in 179 countries around the world.