Kazakhstan's Commitment to Gender Equality and Family Values: Statement at the Beijing +30 Review Conference
Statement by Mr. Ussen Suleimen, Head of the “National Endowment for Prosperity” Public Foundation (Republic of Kazakhstan) at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review.
19 November 2024, Bangkok
Madam Chair,
Madam Executive Secretary,
Distinguished Colleagues,
Kazakhstan has created one of the most advanced legal systems in the field of ensuring women's rights.
According to the Constitution, our country proclaims itself a democratic, secular, legal and social state, the supreme values of which are the individual, his or her life, rights and freedoms.
Also, at the Constitution of Kazakhstan established that no one shall be discriminated against on the grounds of origin, social, official or property status, sex, race, nationality, language, attitude to religion, convictions, place of residence or any other circumstance.
The rights and freedoms of women and men are equal and equally protected by law. The country has adopted over 50 legal acts guaranteeing rights and freedoms in the family, as well as protecting minors from violence.
Our history, our cultural heritage and the fundamental foundations of social development have never contained norms that infringe on the rights of women, barrier them in social lifts and opportunities for self-realization. In our history, there have been and are women politicians, rulers, warriors, philosophers, diplomats, scientists, cultural and artistic figures.
At all times, the position of Kazakh women has been characterized by independence and a special role in society.
In the annual UN Human Development Report, Kazakhstan is included in the 1st group of countries with a very high level of equality of achievements according to the Gender Development Index (HDI) between men and women.
As in any society, it cannot be said that the current gender situation in Kazakhstan is ideal. We are meticulously working to eradicate such phenomena as underrepresentation of women in the political sphere and in leadership positions, the gender pays gap, domestic violence and harassment.
For example, in terms of women's representation in the political sphere, Kazakhstan has mandatory 30% quotas for women and young people on the electoral lists of political parties. In general, today the share of women leaders in Kazakhstan is 39.4%.
55.4% of civil servants in Kazakhstan are women.
Special importance is given to issues related to family and domestic conflicts. Almost every case of domestic violence causes a great public outcry.
Kazakhstan was one of the first countries in Central Asia to adopt a special Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence in 2009.
In 2023, a number of radical measures were adopted to strengthen prevention and tighten liability for abusers.
The strategic nature of legislative innovations is supported by the personal involvement of the Head of State, who signed the law aimed at protecting the institution of family, children and women. The amendments were developed based on the results of their preliminary broad discussion at various venues with the active participation of the entire civil society.
First of all, this innovation is aimed at protecting the family.
In particular, Article 2 of the Code "On Marriage and Family" was supplemented with amendments on the protection, preservation, strengthening and promotion of traditional family values. Moral and spiritual education of children should be carried out in the spirit of respect for national and traditional values.
There is no doubt: Kazakhstan is only for traditional national family values, and for the preservation of the institution of the family!
Secondly: the new law protects our children from pedophiles. Perhaps this is the most long-awaited measure that stirred up the whole society when reports of abuse of minors appeared. Now they will imprison for life for this. The same applies to the murder of small children.
Since such news is perceived especially acutely by people, it is safe to say that all the people of Kazakhstan will welcome the most serious tightening of punishment for such criminals.
Thirdly, a new punishment is being introduced even for sexual harassment of children under 16 years of age, up to 40 days of arrest.
Fourthly, a new crime has been introduced for the propaganda of suicide.
This measure will not only allow for the legislative blocking of numerous websites, channels, chats, and groups with a suicidal orientation, but also for holding their organizers and accomplices accountable for up to 5 years of imprisonment.
In the area of domestic violence, its criminalization has become a joint victory for the state and civil society.
Now, for beatings that cause physical pain, but do not result in minor harm to health, a punishment is being introduced from a fine of 600 usd to 50 days of arrest.
For minor harm to a person's health, a fine of 1500 usd to imprisonment for up to 2 years can be imposed.
However, in our opinion, the most important innovation is the possibility of establishing such special requirements for the offender as a ban on cohabitation with the victim.
The adoption of these amendments in fact demonstrates the unity of government agencies and civil society, the effective work of the Concept of a Listening State to build a Fair Kazakhstan
The state family policy of our country is aimed at supporting, strengthening and protecting the family, creating the necessary conditions that contribute to the physical, intellectual, spiritual, moral development of families and their members, protecting motherhood, fatherhood and childhood.
Distinguished Colleagues,
Let me express my great satisfaction at the opportunity to attend such an important event today.
I am convinced that sustainable development is impossible without gender equality.