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Society

In Kazakhstan, Gender Imbalance Persists Even Among Teenagers

A recent study by Finprom.kz, conducted in partnership with the National Statistics Bureau, sheds light on how Kazakhstani citizens allocate their time across work, leisure, and household duties. The findings reveal significant gender disparities that begin in adolescence and continue into adulthood. Unequal Distribution of Labor at Home The study was based on data from a modular survey conducted every five years, involving approximately 12,000 respondents nationwide. Participants maintained daily activity logs, including both weekdays and weekends. On weekdays, men in Kazakhstan work an average of 9 hours and 7 minutes, about an hour longer than women. However, when it comes to household duties and childcare, women spend more than twice as much time: 2 hours and 13 minutes compared to 48 minutes for men. The gap widens on weekends, with women spending 4 hours and 44 minutes on domestic tasks, compared to 1.5 hours for men. Meanwhile, men spend more time on social media, television, and reading the news, around 1.5 hours on weekdays and nearly 3 hours on weekends. Women engage in these activities roughly an hour less. A similar trend appears in general leisure and relaxation time, where men again lead. Gender Norms Form Early Gendered patterns in domestic labor emerge as early as adolescence. Boys aged 10-14 spend about 1 hour and 6 minutes a day on household chores, while girls dedicate 1 hour and 52 minutes. Cooking accounts for a large portion of this difference, with girls spending an average of 44 minutes on meal preparation. The study also found that parents with higher education levels spend more time with their children, regardless of employment status. Interestingly, unemployed men spend three times less time with their children than employed men, regardless of the day of the week. This correlation was not observed among women. Despite traditional assumptions, men dedicate nearly as much time to personal care as women. On weekdays, men spend 1 hour and 17 minutes on hygiene and grooming, just 3 minutes less than women. On weekends, they spend even more: 1 hour and 40 minutes, compared to 1 hour and 29 minutes for women. Unemployed men consistently surpass women in this area. Regional Disparities and Stress The study highlighted notable regional differences in time use. In North Kazakhstan, residents spend about 1.5 hours daily on cooking and eating, while in Shymkent, the figure is nearly double. Shymkent residents also spend just 8 minutes a day on rest and reflection, compared to over an hour in Mangistau. Cleaning and laundry take up 1.5 hours a day in Shymkent, one of the highest rates in the country. In contrast, residents of Astana spend just 39 minutes on these tasks. Screen time also varies significantly. On average, Kazakhs spend 2 hours and 3 minutes daily on digital content. In North and East Kazakhstan, this climbs to 2 hours and 40 minutes. Residents of Almaty, Ulytau, and Shymkent average 2 hours and 14 minutes, while those in Kyzylorda and Mangistau spend the least, 1 hour and...

Turkic World

Building a Bridge of Tongues: One Uzbek Linguist’s Pursuit of Turkic Unity

For nearly five decades, Uzbek linguist Dr. Bakhtiyor Karimov has worked quietly on an ambitious vision: the creation of a shared, auxiliary language for Turkic-speaking nations. What began as a spark of inspiration on a trolleybus in 1974 became a lifelong intellectual project shaped by history, hardship, and support from prominent regional figures. Karimov’s idea, what he calls the “Averaged Turkic Language”, was born not from political ideology but from a desire to preserve and connect cultures. “If our children cannot access the world’s knowledge in their own tongue, how can they innovate?” he once asked. A Lifelong Vision Conceived in Silence The concept took shape in the shadows of the Soviet Union, where Pan-Turkic ideas were taboo. Karimov and his colleague Shoahmad Mutalov developed their theories discreetly, using mathematical models to explore linguistic convergence. They coined the term “Eesopic” to mask their proposals, likening it to Aesop’s allegories. In 1980, Karimov presented his formulas at a Turkology conference in Tashkent, illustrating affinities among Turkic languages. The room, initially confused by the mathematical display, fell silent when the implications became clear: this was about regional unity through language. The session was cut short. Still, in 1982, their paper was quietly published under the title Language Policy Solutions for Developing Countries, disguised as a study on African and Asian contexts. This allowed Karimov’s ideas to survive Soviet censorship and enter academic circulation. From Perestroika to Independence The late 1980s gave Karimov space to speak more openly. He published theoretical sketches under allegorical titles and refined his proposals, ranging from grammar convergence to script reform. After Uzbekistan’s independence in 1991, he carried his vision to Kazakhstan, where he helped establish a Turkology Center and spoke of reviving Chagatai, the classical literary language once shared across Central Asia. Despite early support, funding dried up. At one point, he suffered heart trouble during a meeting and was left unattended in a hospital corridor until a local cultural leader intervened. “I owe my heart to the Averaged Turkic Language,” he later said, reflecting on how the project had shaped every corner of his life. Digital Revival and Regional Interest In recent years, interest in Karimov’s ideas has quietly revived. In 2022, a Kazakh team led by Dr. Miriyev launched OzTurk, a simplified digital prototype that uses linguistic inputs from various Turkic languages to create a common vocabulary. Though limited in scope, the program demonstrated the feasibility of Karimov’s concept. The idea has even reached Turkish media, with headlines celebrating “A Bridge of Tongues for a New Era.” Yet formal institutional backing has remained elusive. Karimov estimates that establishing an Averaged Turkic Language Institute would require just $3 million, $500,000 from each of six Turkic states. “That’s a small price to pay for preserving our languages,” he argues. A Broader Vision Karimov’s ambitions extend beyond the Turkic world. In 1992, he presented a similar proposal for an Averaged Iranian Language, drawing on shared roots among Persian, Dari, Tajik, Pashto, Kurdish, and other languages. His papers were...

Society

Uzbekistan Allows Name Changes Following Official Gender Correction

Uzbekistan has updated its civil status regulations to allow individuals who have officially changed their gender to also change their first name, last name, and patronymic. The change follows a June 12 Cabinet of Ministers decision that amends the country’s procedures for registering personal status documents. According to the Ministry of Justice, the update is part of broader efforts to streamline legal documentation related to marriage, family, and civil status. Under the new rules, citizens aged 18 and older, who do not have minor children, may apply to change their names via the Unified Interactive Services Portal. The ministry clarified that the changes have been misinterpreted online as introducing broad legal provisions for gender transition. In fact, officials stressed, the amendment only affects the process of updating civil records after a gender change has already been made and recognized through medical documentation. Previously, individuals who had changed their gender could correct key documents such as birth, death, and marriage certificates. However, name changes were restricted and typically permitted only under cultural or national naming exceptions. Under the new rules, a recognized gender transition now constitutes sufficient legal grounds for a name change, provided that a medical statement confirming the change is submitted. The Justice Ministry also noted that each year, approximately five to six children in Uzbekistan are born with indeterminate gender characteristics. In many such cases, gender is assigned based on early medical assessments, though the child's actual gender identity may only become clear years later, sometimes not until adolescence. Officials cited one example involving a child born in 2008 who was initially registered as male. At age 16, medical evaluation confirmed the child was female. While her gender record was corrected in civil documents, existing laws at the time did not allow her to change her name and patronymic accordingly. To address such legal gaps, the government passed Decision No. 362. It ensures that once a medical institution verifies a gender correction, the individual may also update their full name to reflect their gender identity. The regulation is intended to improve consistency across civil documents and prevent identity mismatches for individuals who have undergone gender transition.

Tourism

Kazakh Nomads and Authentic Tourism: Interview with Mongolia’s Cultural Envoy Dr. Gantemur Damba at CAMCA

This week The Times of Central Asia will be attending the CAMCA Regional Forum, which this year is being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The CAMCA network is a collection of professionals and policymakers dedicated to sharing ideas, knowledge and inspiration to develop the Eurasia region; its name stands for Central Asia, Mongolia, the Caucasus and Afghanistan. Ahead of the Forum, The Times of Central Asia spoke with Mongolia’s Cultural Envoy, and the Vice Chair of the Asian Ecotourism Network, Dr. Gantumur Damba, about the country's Kazakh nomads, and what the CAMCA program means for Mongolian culture and tourism. TCA: Central Asia is geographically quite close to Mongolia, but Mongolia's culture is distinct. What parts of Mongolian life do you think make journeys here unique for visitors? GD: Indeed. While Mongolia has some cultural similarities with Central Asia due to historical links, it has developed its own distinct identity. We are a unique culture with influences from Buddhism, shamanism and animism in our pastoralist herder’s way of life. Eastern Mongolia is rich in historical sites, including Deluun Boldog, where Genghis Khan was born, and the historical ruins of 13th and 14th-century towns. Central Mongolia is centered on the ancient town of Kharkhorum – with UNESCO-inscribed intangible cultural events – and the beautiful Orkhon Valley. This region is also enriched by Mongolian Buddhist traditions and architectural sites. North Mongolia is the home of nomadic reindeer herders, who have strong shamanistic beliefs. They are one of the last groups in the world to still herd reindeer as their primary way of life. Mongolia's largest ethnic minority are Kazakhs, who live in the country's western regions. What opportunities do visitors to Mongolia have to discover the Mongolian Kazakh way of life? The Kazakhs of Mongolia have distinct cultural practices, and live mainly in western Mongolia, particularly in Bayan-Ölgii province. While they share a common heritage with Kazakhs in Kazakhstan and other Central Asian nations, their experience in Mongolia is shaped by their minority status and the influence of Mongolian culture and Buddhism, alongside their own Turkic language and Islamic traditions. Activities like eagle hunting demonstration events, trekking in the Altai Mountains, and exploring authentic nomadic life offer unique travel experiences. Travelers can experience authentic nomad Kazakh culture through homestays, participating in festivals, and witnessing traditional crafts, traditional music, epic storytelling and vibrant dances like the eagle dance. What places and activities in Mongolia do you most recommend to foreign visitors? Are you working on any new destinations? Mongolia offers a high degree of freedom and flexibility for travelers, especially when it comes to camping and exploring the vast landscapes. There are relatively few restrictions on where you can go and camp, and you can often choose your own route and pace. However, choosing the right travel partner is vital. I categorize our destinations according to three “Ms”. The first M stands for modified places – basically those that are spoiled. That includes Terelj, Kharkhorum and West Khuvsgul Lake, where you will find many resorts,...

Society

Kyrgyzstan Sees Notable Drop in Poverty Rate

Kyrgyzstan’s national poverty rate dropped to 25.7% in 2024, marking a 4.1% decrease from the previous year, according to new data released by the National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic. In 2023, approximately 1.871 million people in the country lived below the poverty line, with nearly 62% residing in rural areas. For 2024, the poverty threshold was set at 65,417 Kyrgyz soms (around USD 748) per capita annually. The extreme poverty line was defined at 41,349 soms (approximately USD 472). As of January 2025, Kyrgyzstan’s population stood at 7.3 million. Many Kyrgyz households, particularly in rural communities, depend on remittances from family members working abroad, primarily in Russia. According to The Times of Central Asia, around 600,000 Kyrgyz nationals currently live outside the country, with Russia remaining the primary destination. By the end of 2024, over 379,000 Kyrgyz citizens were registered with Russia’s migration authorities. A recent World Bank report on migration trends in Europe and Central Asia highlighted the significant economic impact of these remittances. In 2024, remittances accounted for approximately 24% of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP. The report also found that the poverty rate among households with a family member working abroad was under 10% but would exceed 50% without these external income flows. In a related development, China pledged USD 3.7 billion in assistance to Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan, to support poverty alleviation initiatives. The commitment was announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the inaugural China-Central Asia Summit, held in May 2023 in the city of Xi’an. Xi stated that China would develop a plan for scientific and technological cooperation with Central Asia in the area of poverty reduction and encourage Chinese companies operating in the region to generate more employment opportunities.

International Visitors

Kazakhstan Launches QR Code System for Foreign Visitors at Airports

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, in collaboration with local authorities, has implemented a new QR code system at all international airports across the country. The initiative, announced by Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabosynov, is designed to enhance the travel experience for foreign visitors by providing easy access to essential services. According to the Ministry, the QR codes grant immediate access to: Electronic SIM card services; Licensed taxi operators; Online hotel booking platforms; Information regarding the registration of foreign citizens; Details on major tourist attractions. The primary goal of the system is to reduce the risk of fraud targeting tourists, particularly in areas such as transportation, mobile communications, and currency exchange, and to improve service quality throughout a visitor’s stay. In 2024, Kazakhstan welcomed 15.3 million foreign nationals, of whom 10.4 million spent more than a day in the country and were officially classified as tourists. The new digital system is part of broader efforts to create a safer, more convenient environment for international travelers, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s image as a tourist-friendly destination. Kazakhstan currently offers visa-free entry to citizens of 87 countries, and an electronic visa application system is available to nationals of 107 countries.