Kazakhstan takes flight in gender equality in aviation
Central Asian nation leads in women’s participation, with over 40% of aviation workforce being female
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan is setting a regional benchmark in gender equality within the aviation sector, with women comprising more than 40% of the country’s aviation workforce.
Despite a global trend where women account for just 5% of airline pilots, Kazakhstan has 34 female pilots among its 1,459 total, alongside over 9,500 women employed in various aviation roles.
These figures were highlighted at a landmark workshop on gender equality and women’s empowerment in aviation, held in Almaty on March 4.
Organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) European and North Atlantic Office (EUR/NAT), the event brought together industry professionals and young specialists to foster interest in aviation careers for women.
Nicolas Rallo, ICAO’s regional director for EUR/NAT, praised Kazakhstan’s leadership in gender inclusion.
“ICAO remains fully committed to gender equality, and we will continue to actively engage with countries, international organizations, and industry partners in initiatives to empower women in aviation,” he said.
Saltanat Tompiyeva, chair of Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee, emphasized the country’s strides in promoting women’s participation.
“Globally, the aim is for women to make up 30% of aviation professionals, but Kazakhstan is already ahead in this regard. This is the first time ICAO has hosted a workshop on gender equality in our region, and it reflects Kazakhstan’s leadership,” she said.
Tompiyeva also called for breaking stereotypes surrounding aviation as a male-dominated field. “Aviation is open to everyone. There are no inherently male or female professions, and we want to show young people that they can succeed in this industry regardless of gender,” she added.
Kazakhstan also provides regulatory protections for women in the workforce, including maternity leave policies that allow job retention for up to three years—far exceeding provisions in many other countries.
As Kazakhstan continues to push for greater inclusion, its aviation sector is emerging as a model for gender equality in Central Asia and beyond.
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