Kazakhstan sees sharp rise in women’s leadership roles
Nearly 40% of senior civil service jobs are now held by women
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Women are taking on increasingly prominent roles in Kazakhstan’s civil service, politics, and business sectors, driven by reforms promoting gender equality and empowerment.
Currently, women account for 55.8% of Kazakhstan’s civil service workforce, with 39.1% occupying senior positions.
Parliamentary representation has also risen, with women holding 18.9% of seats (28 deputies), while 22.7% of positions in local representative bodies are now filled by women.
Kazakhstan’s business sector reflects a similar trend, as nearly 48% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are owned by women.
The Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund has supported over 105,000 women-led projects, providing financial assistance of 4.1 billion tenge ($8.2 million).
In housing, the Umai mortgage program, supported by the Asian Development Bank, has enabled 3,660 women to purchase homes over the past three years, with loans totaling 41.2 billion tenge ($82.8 million).
The government plans to expand housing support, including widows in state-backed assistance programs.
Addressing gender-based violence and supporting families
Kazakhstan is tackling gender-based violence through a new domestic violence law, which established a specialized department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
This department includes 280 female investigators focusing on cases involving sexual violence against women and minors.
Violence prevention inspectors have protected 16,000 women to date.
Family Support Centers have also expanded, growing from 33 to 104 since mid-2024, alongside mobile teams that assist at-risk families.
Empowering women through technology and skills development
The IT-Aiel project, in collaboration with TechnoWomen and Astana Hub, has trained 18,000 women in digital skills, including cybersecurity and e-commerce, leading to a 45% rise in graduates’ incomes.
Kazakhstan is marking milestones such as the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. The country’s gender agenda aligns with these global frameworks to advance women’s rights and leadership roles.
With growing representation in leadership, business, and policy-making, Kazakhstan is making significant strides toward gender equality and inclusive development, positioning women at the forefront of its progress.
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