Deputy Chairman of the Senate Askar Shakirov took part in the online conference "Women, Peace and Security", organized by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly as part of its initiative "Call to Action – the Helsinki + 50 process".
The participants of the online dialogue discussed the role of the Parliamentary Assembly and national parliaments in ensuring the full and meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention and resolution, peacemaking, and protecting women and girls from gender inequality.
In his speech, Askar Shakirov, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, noted that the comprehensive protection of women's rights, the elimination of violence and discrimination against them, as well as the promotion of women in power structures are the most important priorities in the development of the OSCE member states.
"Kazakhstan has achieved the UN Millennium Development Goals ahead of schedule in terms of ensuring gender equality and is among the countries with a "very high level of gender development", leading among the CIS countries in the Gender Development Index," the Vice Speaker noted.
He stressed the importance of the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to introduce a 30% quota for women and youth in the lists of candidates of political parties in the elections, which allowed to increase the representation of women in the Majilis of the Parliament to 27%.
The significant role of women in creating jobs and stimulating economic growth was noted, who head 43% of small and medium-sized businesses.
Kazakh servicewomen, along with men, participate in peacekeeping programs to restore peaceful life in post-conflict countries within the framework of the UN mission.
In conclusion, the Kazakh senator called on the OSCE parliamentarians to ensure a greater balance in the representation of women, to promote the creation of favorable conditions and capacity-building so that women can fully realize their opportunities.
(Senate Media Office, 74-72-27)
