Kazakhstan Takes Action to Safeguard Females, Penalizing Forced Marriage (Bride Kidnapping)
Kazakhstan Takes Steps to Crack Down on Forced Marriage 'Tradition'
ASTANA - In a bold move, Kazakhstan's General Prosecutor's Office is supporting President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's initiative to establish a separate Criminal Code article that penalizes bride kidnapping. This decision was made at a March 28 meeting of the Human Dimension Dialogue Platform consultative and advisory body.
The meeting, led by Ambassador-at-Large Alua Nadirkulova, was held under the Kazakh Foreign Ministry's roof. In the ensuing discussions, it was decided that work would commence with relevant government agencies to draft amendments regarding this antiquated practice of forcing women into marriage.
In recent years, Kazakhstan has been making considerable strides in the field of women's rights. The implementation of the law on ensuring women's rights and children's safety, which came into effect on June 16, 2024, made Kazakhstan the first CIS country to implement advanced safeguards against domestic violence.
The April 2024 law reinforced protections against domestic violence by reforming the Criminal Code to hold accountable those who batter or inflict intentional harm on vulnerable individuals. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that, after receiving orders from President Tokayev, specialized police units dedicated to protecting women and children were reactivated. More notably, a novel branch of female investigators is being established to manage sexual assault cases.
Moreover, plans are in the works to foster women's economic rights, such as increasing their presence in positions of leadership within state-owned companies to 30%. There are indicators set to intensify women's involvement in executive roles and board directorships. By the end of 2024, 48.1% of small and medium-sized businesses were owned by women, underscoring their increasing economic relevance.
While there are few specific recent laws or initiatives documented in search results that delve into enhancing female representation in leadership roles and entrepreneurship, Kazakhstan has been steadily advancing gender equality. The authorities have implemented policies designed to empower women, but additional research is required to fully elucidate these measures.
Kazakhstan has been journeying a path towards improving women's rights and participation in diverse sectors. However, challenges remain, particularly in rural areas. The country continues to work diligently toward achieving gender equality. The legislative actions and policies undertaken to combat bride kidnapping and elevate women's rights are part of a wider regional endeavor to deal with gender-based violence and promote equality. Further legal and policy reforms will likely be necessary to eradicate issues related to domestic violence, leadership representation, and entrepreneurship opportunities for women.
- The advancements in women's rights in Kazakhstan extend to health and wellness, with increased focus on women's health, particularly in family health and reproductive rights.
- As part of the broader policy and legislation reforms, initiatives are underway to ensure the implementation of comprehensive health services for women, including maternal health care and access to contraceptives.
- In the realm of politics and societal growth, parenting workshops and resources are being developed to educate parents on gender equal upbringing, fostering a generation that respects the rights of both men and women.
- The ongoing efforts to combat gender-based violence, including bride kidnapping, serve as a benchmark for other nations in the region, inspiring policy and legislative discussions on general news platforms, aimed at promoting gender equality worldwide.
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