Kazakhstan successfully concluded its chairpersonship in the Dialogue of Women of Central Asia. Summing up the results at the international conference organized with the support of the UN in Astana, Speaker of the Mazhilis Erlan Koshanov noted the fruitful work of the forum for 2023.
The final conference of this year was dedicated to the theme «Countering gender-based violence in the region: in search of effective and sustainable joint solutions». The discussion was attended by speakers of the Parliaments of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, members of the National Commission for Women's Affairs and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, parliamentarians from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, heads of government bodies, as well as representatives of non-governmental and international organizations, the diplomatic corps.
Concluding the results of the chairpersonship of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Dialogue of Women of Central Asia in 2023, Erlan Koshanov underlined that such pressing issues as the development of innovation and technology, peace and security in the global aspect, climate change, the roles of women and youth in the fight against terrorism and extremism were raised. He also emphasized the relevance of the agenda of the current meeting.
– Kazakhstan has ratified international conventions on human rights, women’s rights, gender equality and many others. At the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev this year the penalty for domestic violence have been tightened. We have moved from a declarative order to an ascertainable one. Today we, legislators, have gone even further. Deputies have begun developing a new package of legislative amendments in this area. First of all, we plan to establish criminal liability for domestic violence, – said the Speaker of the Mazhilis.
Erlan Koshanov also emphasised the need for public awareness raising and knowledge strengthening in this area.
– The distorted idea of complete dominance of men in the family must become a thing of the past. It is necessary to instill the right values in the minds of the younger generation starting from school. To form a legal culture among the population. Show intolerance to any manifestations of domestic vandalism. Strictly adhere to, as our President says, the dictatorship of law and order, – he added.
Vice-Speaker of the Mazhilis Dania Espaeva emphasized that the current conference is being held within the framework of «16 days of activism against gender-based violence», which clearly demonstrates the desire to create a territory in Central Asia free from any forms of violence.
Tanzila Narbayeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, shared Uzbekistan's experience in combating gender-based violence. This year, the country revised its legislation on domestic violence, strengthening administrative and criminal liability.
The first country in Central Asia to criminalize gender-based violence at the legislative level was Kyrgyzstan as reported by the Deputy of Toraga of Zhogorku Kenesh Jamila Isaeva.
At the end of the forum, the delegates adopted a Statement from the participants of the Dialogue of Women of Central Asia «Countering Gender-Based Violence in the Region: In Search of Effective and Sustainable Joint Solutions». Members of the Dialogue condemned any forms of violence against women and support the creation of effective legislative and legal mechanisms for the protection and support of women.
Results of Kazakhstan's chairpersonship in the Dialogue of Women of Central Asia in 2023:
As Dania Espaeva noted, during Kazakhstan’s chairpersonship in the Dialogue, a lot of work has been done to institutionally strengthen this regional platform. She thanked all the countries participating in the Dialogue, the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, UN Women, the UN Development Program and divisions of the European Union for their active work. A number of events took place throughout the year.
At the conference «The Role of Women in the Development of Innovation and Technology», held in June 2023 in Astana, women’s innovative projects and new technologies were presented. The initiative to create a community of women «TechnoWomen Central Asia» received support and approval , which resulted in Kazakhstan joining the Action Coalition on «Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality» within the framework of the Generation Equality Forum. At the international conference «Women, Peace and Security» held in Almaty in October 2023 with the participation of civil society, gender activists, and international experts, a discussion was held on the implementation of the principles of UN Security Council resolutions.
The visit of Dialogue members and representatives of civil society from Central Asian countries to Brussels in November 2023 to familiarize themselves with the work of the structures of the European Parliament was highly appreciated.
The chairpersonship of the Dialogue of Women of Central Asia has been passed to the Kyrgyz Republic.
For reference: The Dialogue of Women of Central Asia is an informal platform for discussing current issues of development and strengthening cooperation between women in the region. The dialogue was launched in December 2020. In previous years, the Dialogue was chaired by Uzbekistan (2021) and Turkmenistan (2022). The dialogue was created and operates with the support of UN Women, the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The final conference of this year was dedicated to the theme «Countering gender-based violence in the region: in search of effective and sustainable joint solutions». The discussion was attended by speakers of the Parliaments of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, members of the National Commission for Women's Affairs and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, parliamentarians from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, heads of government bodies, as well as representatives of non-governmental and international organizations, the diplomatic corps.
Concluding the results of the chairpersonship of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Dialogue of Women of Central Asia in 2023, Erlan Koshanov underlined that such pressing issues as the development of innovation and technology, peace and security in the global aspect, climate change, the roles of women and youth in the fight against terrorism and extremism were raised. He also emphasized the relevance of the agenda of the current meeting.
– Kazakhstan has ratified international conventions on human rights, women’s rights, gender equality and many others. At the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev this year the penalty for domestic violence have been tightened. We have moved from a declarative order to an ascertainable one. Today we, legislators, have gone even further. Deputies have begun developing a new package of legislative amendments in this area. First of all, we plan to establish criminal liability for domestic violence, – said the Speaker of the Mazhilis.
Erlan Koshanov also emphasised the need for public awareness raising and knowledge strengthening in this area.
– The distorted idea of complete dominance of men in the family must become a thing of the past. It is necessary to instill the right values in the minds of the younger generation starting from school. To form a legal culture among the population. Show intolerance to any manifestations of domestic vandalism. Strictly adhere to, as our President says, the dictatorship of law and order, – he added.
Vice-Speaker of the Mazhilis Dania Espaeva emphasized that the current conference is being held within the framework of «16 days of activism against gender-based violence», which clearly demonstrates the desire to create a territory in Central Asia free from any forms of violence.
Tanzila Narbayeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, shared Uzbekistan's experience in combating gender-based violence. This year, the country revised its legislation on domestic violence, strengthening administrative and criminal liability.
The first country in Central Asia to criminalize gender-based violence at the legislative level was Kyrgyzstan as reported by the Deputy of Toraga of Zhogorku Kenesh Jamila Isaeva.
At the end of the forum, the delegates adopted a Statement from the participants of the Dialogue of Women of Central Asia «Countering Gender-Based Violence in the Region: In Search of Effective and Sustainable Joint Solutions». Members of the Dialogue condemned any forms of violence against women and support the creation of effective legislative and legal mechanisms for the protection and support of women.
Results of Kazakhstan's chairpersonship in the Dialogue of Women of Central Asia in 2023:
As Dania Espaeva noted, during Kazakhstan’s chairpersonship in the Dialogue, a lot of work has been done to institutionally strengthen this regional platform. She thanked all the countries participating in the Dialogue, the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, UN Women, the UN Development Program and divisions of the European Union for their active work. A number of events took place throughout the year.
At the conference «The Role of Women in the Development of Innovation and Technology», held in June 2023 in Astana, women’s innovative projects and new technologies were presented. The initiative to create a community of women «TechnoWomen Central Asia» received support and approval , which resulted in Kazakhstan joining the Action Coalition on «Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality» within the framework of the Generation Equality Forum. At the international conference «Women, Peace and Security» held in Almaty in October 2023 with the participation of civil society, gender activists, and international experts, a discussion was held on the implementation of the principles of UN Security Council resolutions.
The visit of Dialogue members and representatives of civil society from Central Asian countries to Brussels in November 2023 to familiarize themselves with the work of the structures of the European Parliament was highly appreciated.
The chairpersonship of the Dialogue of Women of Central Asia has been passed to the Kyrgyz Republic.
For reference: The Dialogue of Women of Central Asia is an informal platform for discussing current issues of development and strengthening cooperation between women in the region. The dialogue was launched in December 2020. In previous years, the Dialogue was chaired by Uzbekistan (2021) and Turkmenistan (2022). The dialogue was created and operates with the support of UN Women, the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).