Kazakhstan strengthens family policies with new ombudsman and gender initiatives
Kazakhstan has taken steps to strengthen family and gender policies with new appointments and initiatives. On 13 March 2023, a presidential decree established the Family Affairs Ombudsman institution. MP Snezhana Imasheva was named to the role, tasked with addressing public concerns swiftly and directly. The newly created ombudsman position aims to serve as a rapid-response channel for citizens' issues. Imasheva's appointment follows broader efforts to improve family welfare and gender equality in the country.
Gender policy in Kazakhstan falls under the Ministry of Culture and Information. This body leads the development and implementation of related programmes nationwide. Another key player is the National Commission for Women's Affairs and Family-Demographic Policy, which operates under the president's office. The commission includes 34 members from different sectors, one of whom is Aziza Shuzheyeva. She also chairs the NGO TechnoWomen and contributes to policy discussions on women's rights and family matters. Meanwhile, schools in Kazakhstan are adopting new educational projects. These focus on labour skills and moral development for students. While no official plans link QR codes to monitoring domestic violence in schools, international studies suggest that social-emotional learning programmes can help reduce aggression among pupils. Some nations have also introduced age-based restrictions on children's social media use, though Kazakhstan has not yet adopted similar measures.
The establishment of the Family Affairs Ombudsman marks a new phase in Kazakhstan's approach to family and social issues. With Imasheva in place and ongoing policy work by the National Commission, the government continues to expand its support systems. Schools remain a focus for moral and labour education, though broader digital safeguards for children have yet to be introduced.
