Women in Kazakhstan have joined the international #IAmJaneDoe social media campaign, sharing accounts of sexual violence they experienced as children and teenagers. The posts include allegations of abuse by relatives, acquaintances, and strangers. Many participants say they remained silent because they feared being judged and did not trust law enforcement authorities.
Denis Dzhivaga, director of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, told The Times of Central Asia why speaking out publicly sometimes becomes the only way for survivors to draw attention to their experiences, despite tougher legislation.
How #IAmJaneDoe Began
The international #IAmJaneDoe campaign emerged amid a case involving a former student at Cornell University in the United States. In September 2026, a woman identified in court documents by the pseudonym Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit against seven former members of the Chi Phi fraternity, the university, and other defendants.
According to the plaintiff, she was subjected to a gang sexual assault in October 2024. The initial investigation ended without criminal charges being filed. After the lawsuit was brought, prosecutors reopened the investigation, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed state Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor. No criminal charges have been filed, and the seven men deny wrongdoing.
Women in different countries began posting under #IAmJaneDoe in an effort to frustrate attempts to reveal the plaintiff’s identity. Through these posts, they express solidarity with the plaintiff and share their own experiences of violence.
In Kazakhstan, the campaign has brought attention to the silence surrounding sexual abuse within families. In their accounts, women describe incidents dating back many years, including alleged crimes committed by fathers, stepfathers, and brothers.
Dzhivaga believes that the decision to share such experiences publicly is often linked to a lack of effective support.
“From families that try to cover up cases of abuse to police officers who still prefer not to interfere in family matters, everything pushes women to at least tell their stories publicly. Quite often, women simply have no other options,” he said.
However, speaking out does not guarantee sympathy. According to the human rights advocate, women who share their experiences face blame and condemnation, including from other women.
What Has Changed Under the ‘Saltanat Law’?
In June 2024, amendments informally known as the “Saltanat Law” came into force in Kazakhstan. They were adopted following the murder of Saltanat Nukenova, a case that sparked widespread public outrage. Former Minister of National Economy Kuandyk Bishimbayev was sentenced to 24 years in prison for her murder.
The amendments reinstated criminal penalties for battery and intentional infliction of minor bodily harm, strengthened protections for women and children, and expanded measures aimed at preventing violence.
However, Dzhivaga argues that the legislative changes have not yet produced comparable improvements in how government agencies respond.
“When everyone was celebrating the adoption of the law, I said that passing a law is only half the battle. What matters is how it is enforced. The law has to work, but in many respects, the response has remained the same. Essentially, the system has not changed yet,” the human rights advocate explained.
One continuing obstacle is the concept of uyat, or shame, deeply rooted in Kazakh society and associated with violating accepted social norms and damaging a family’s reputation. In cases of sexual violence, fear of public disgrace can pressure survivors into silence, especially when the alleged perpetrator is a close relative.
“Raping, killing, and torturing someone is not considered uyat, but speaking out about it is. And the police often continue to take a wait-and-see approach,” Dzhivaga said.
He believes police should respond more actively to public accounts of violence and assess whether they warrant legal action.
Kazakhstan’s Interior Ministry told Tengri Life on October 14 that social media posts can provide grounds for a criminal investigation if they contain sufficient evidence of a possible offense. The ministry said such accounts are assessed according to the details provided and whether the people involved can be identified.
Human Rights Concerns and the Government’s Response
On October 6, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women reviewed the situation of women in Kazakhstan. Experts acknowledged legislative changes but drew attention to persistent obstacles preventing survivors from obtaining protection.
One issue is the absence of a separate criminal offense specifically covering domestic violence. Kazakh authorities said they intend to address this gap in the law. Human Rights Watch also called for better enforcement of protection orders and timely assistance for women who seek help from the police.
Kazakhstan’s representatives told the UN committee that reported cases of domestic violence had declined by 24% in the first half of 2026. According to the figures they presented, the number of killings declined by 20%. These statistics reflect officially recorded cases and do not, on their own, indicate the extent of violence that remains unreported to law enforcement authorities.
Dzhivaga acknowledges that the government has become more open to discussing the problem but points to a shortage of temporary accommodation for survivors and rehabilitation programs.
“There are very few centers and shelters where victims of violence can turn for help and find at least temporary accommodation. A shortage of shelters and rehabilitation services has been documented across Kazakhstan,” he said.
In Dzhivaga’s view, overcoming the social stigma faced by survivors is just as important as improving legislation. The accounts shared under #IAmJaneDoe illustrate how many stories of violence can remain untold for years, even after new legal protections have been introduced.
