Kazakhstan's Women's Forum Charts a Bold Path for Leadership and Reform
A major forum on women's leadership took place in Astana this week. The Amanat Women's Wing Forum, titled Women's World: Shaping the Nation's Future, brought together key figures to discuss the strategic role of women in society. Topics ranged from state policies and education to digital security and constitutional reforms.
The event drew prominent speakers, including Mazhilis Speaker Erlan Koshanov. Aigul Nurpeisova, a board member at M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University and a PhD holder, highlighted ongoing initiatives to boost women's leadership in education, science, and entrepreneurship. She called for stronger support systems for young female researchers and business owners.
Participants examined women's influence beyond traditional family roles, focusing on their part in shaping national values and human capital. Discussions also covered recent constitutional changes, such as reinforcing parliament's authority and improving government accountability.
Over the past five years, Kazakhstan has made progress in women's political participation. State programs like the 2021–2025 National Action Plan for Gender Equality helped raise female parliamentary representation to 27% through quotas. Initiatives such as Strong Women – Prosperous Society promoted leadership roles, while NGO campaigns increased the share of female mayors from 10% to 18% and executive positions by 15%.
The forum ended with proposals to expand sustainable regional networks and increase women's involvement in public debates on reforms.
The forum's outcomes point to a growing recognition of women's contributions in governance, innovation, and social development. Concrete steps, including policy recommendations and expanded support programs, aim to further integrate women into key decision-making roles across Kazakhstan.
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