Menzhan CHINGIZ, expert of Public Foundation “National Endowment for Prosperity”

Plenary session # 8: Tolerance and non-discrimination III

Dear participants, ladies and gentlemen!

My name is Menzhan, and today I would like to address one of the most pressing and alarming issues in modern society: domestic violence.

Home is a place where a person should feel safe, supported, understood, and loved. It is a place where personality is formed, where trust and confidence are born. But, unfortunately, for many women, children, and the elderly, home ceases to be a symbol of comfort and warmth. It becomes a source of fear and pain, where the most basic human rights are violated daily.

According to the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, tens of thousands of cases of domestic violence are recorded annually. Comparing the first five months of 2023 and 2024, the number of such cases has almost tripled: from 16,172 to 43,812 registered crimes. And this is only a small part of what's actually happening, as many victims remain silent—out of fear, shame, or fear of social condemnation.

The government is taking active steps to address this problem. Kazakhstan has a law "On the Prevention of Domestic Violence," and a new law "On the Protection of Women's Rights and Children's Safety" has been adopted, which toughens penalties for such acts and strengthens victim protection measures.

Crisis centers and support centers operate in various regions of the country, where victims can receive temporary shelter, psychological help, legal advice, and medical support. Hotlines for anonymous reporting and educational programs have been established.

However, despite these positive changes, serious challenges remain.
First, access to assistance is limited in rural and remote areas, where crisis centers simply do not exist or are underfunded. Secondly, fear and stigma persist in society – many victims are afraid to report violence due to condemnation, pressure from family members, or mistrust of law enforcement.
Thirdly, it's important to remember that violence isn't just physical. It can be psychological, economic, and even digital, when a person loses control of their own life.

Combating this phenomenon is not only the task of the state but also the responsibility of each and every one of us. We need to openly discuss the issue of domestic violence so that people know where to turn and feel supported by society.

Kazakhstan is moving in the right direction, and it's important that this path be accompanied by ongoing dialogue between the government, experts, public organizations, and international partners.

Let every home become a place of peace, warmth, and love, not pain and fear.
Security is a fundamental human right, and every woman, every child, and every elderly person has the right to live in peace.