The efforts of UN Women Kazakhstan in promoting women’s leadership and political participation are based on global commitments to enhance women's representation. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women upholds women’s right to participate in public life, while the Beijing Platform for Action calls for removing barriers to equal participation. The Sustainable Development Goals measure progress towards gender equality in part by the proportion of women in parliamentary seats.
To facilitate women's political engagement, UN Women Kazakhstan provides targeted training programs aimed at empowering women who aspire to participate in elections.
- In 2024, UN Women Kazakhstan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the National Commission on Women Affairs and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, organized comprehensive training sessions designed to boost the political activity of women. These interactive trainings helped participants from Kokshetau, Uralsk, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Petropavlovsk and Shymkent develop essential skills in leadership, strategic planning, and campaign launching, fostering a robust network of future women leaders.
- Moreover, in 2022, UN Women held a Training of Trainers in Astana that strengthened the leadership potential of 25 women from different regions of Kazakhstan. The knowledge gained in developing effective election campaigns enabled these participants not only to enhance their own political prospects but also to take on the role of trainers in their communities, thereby amplifying the impact of the program and promoting a culture of female leadership and civic engagement.
- In 2022, UN Women also organized a training for Members of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and staff of the Majilis and Senate on gender analysis of public policy and legislation. The program included an overview of the main international conventions and national legislation in the field of gender policy and women's rights and opportunities. Particular attention was paid to the issues of women's quotas and gender-responsive budgeting.
In addition to training programs, UN Women Kazakhstan actively engages in dialogues and collaborative efforts promoting women's leadership. In 2023, the organization supported events under Kazakhstan's chairmanship of the Dialogue of Women of Central Asia, a vital platform for women leaders, where participants discussed pressing regional challenges such as innovation and technology, global peace and security, climate change, and violence prevention. Such initiatives underscore the role of women in shaping policies that support not only gender equality but also comprehensive societal development.
Through ongoing training, advocacy, and collaboration, UN Women Kazakhstan is making significant strides in promoting women's leadership and political participation in public life, reinforcing the importance of gender equality as a cornerstone of democratic governance and sustainable development.