Kazakhstan names Snezhana Imasheva as first Family Affairs Commissioner under new marriage law
Kazakhstan has appointed Snezhana Imasheva as its new Commissioner for Family Affairs. The move follows President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's recent announcement of a legal change defining marriage as a voluntary and equal union. Imasheva will also serve as Deputy Chair of the National Commission for Women's Affairs, Family, and Demographic Policy under the President.
Imasheva's career began in banking and law, working as a retail lending specialist at TuranAlem Bank before roles as a notary assistant, legal counsel, and sales manager in West Kazakhstan Region. In 2011, she became General Director of Batys Energy Resources LLP, a position she held until 2016.
Her political career took off in 2016 when she was elected to the Majilis as a member of the Nur Otan party (now Amanat). Over the years, she served as Deputy Chair of the Committee on Social and Cultural Development (2016–2023) and later joined the Committee on Finance and Budget (2023–2025). Since 2025, she has chaired the Committee on Women's and Youth Affairs, Family and Children's Issues. Imasheva holds a degree from Utemisov West Kazakhstan State University, graduating in 2001. She is also a member of Amanat's political council, the National Commission for Women's Affairs, and the Presidential Commission on Human Rights. The Family Ombudsman role, newly created by Tokayev, will operate within the National Commission and report directly to the head of state.
The appointment strengthens Kazakhstan's focus on family rights and social policy. Imasheva's background in law, business, and parliamentary work positions her to oversee the implementation of the new marriage law. She will now play a key role in shaping national policies on family and demographic issues.
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