Kazakhstan’s Youth Struggle with Access to Sexual Health Information

One in five young people in Kazakhstan lacks access to information about reproductive and sexual health, according to an analysis by Ranking.kz based on a survey conducted by the Youth Research Center. Where Young People Seek Information The study reveals a significant gender disparity: 34.2% of female respondents seek information from medical specialists, compared to only 19.4% of male respondents. Alarmingly, 24.4% of young men report having no information on reproductive health at all, versus 14.9% of young women. The most commonly cited sources of reproductive health information are gynecologists, urologists, and reproductive specialists (26.6%), followed by online resources and articles (17.9%). Family discussions (16.6%), conversations with peers (15.4%), consultations with family doctors (15.3%), social media (14.4%), and printed materials from medical institutions (11.3%) also play a role. Despite these resources, 9.3% of respondents admitted they feel uncomfortable discussing such topics, while 19.8% reported receiving no information at all, underscoring the persistent knowledge gap. Infections and Awareness Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a pressing concern. Only 16.8% of respondents said they are well informed about STIs. A further 36.7% reported partial awareness, 26.9% had only heard vague references, 15.4% were entirely uninformed, and 4.4% found the question difficult to answer. According to the Ministry of Health, Kazakhstan recorded 89.1 cases of STIs per 100,000 population in 2024, down from 96.4 in 2023, but still considered high. The most common infections included chlamydia (13.9 cases per 100,000), trichomoniasis (13.8), syphilis (8.5), and gonorrhea (6). The highest infection rates were recorded in Shymkent (247.7 per 100,000), Almaty (139.3), and Astana (127.1), followed by the Abai (125.9) and North Kazakhstan (118.6) regions. The lowest rates were reported in Zhambyl (24.6), Ulytau (30.7), and West Kazakhstan (31.4). Debate Over Sex Education in Schools When asked about the introduction of sex education in schools, 58.9% of survey respondents supported the idea, citing benefits such as improved understanding of physiology and anatomy, and a reduced risk of unwanted pregnancies and STIs. However, 35.6% opposed such initiatives. Among them, 15% found the topic too “embarrassing,” while 20.6% feared that sex education might encourage early sexual activity among teenagers.

Kazakhstan Proposes Lowering Age of Criminal Responsibility

Kazakhstan has proposed lowering the age of criminal responsibility Leading the initiative  at a plenary session, Mazhilis Deputy Magerram Magerramov emphasized, “We, legislators, should probably revise the age of criminal responsibility threshold for some crimes, establishing responsibility not from 14, but from 12 years old, for example, in cases of rape." Magerramov drew attention to unsafe conditions in schools, citing cases of violence and murder committed by minors. In his opinion, bullying, and romanticizing  banditry within the school environment create the basis for violence that continues in the army. The deputy also stressed the lack of a social protection system and called for strengthening educators' roles in preventing schoolchildren's destructive behavior. To this end, he recommended a revision of current approaches to the prevention of criminal behavior among teenagers in tandem with increased attention to moral and ethical education. Magerramov noted that Kazakhstan needs a comprehensive approach by authorized bodies to solving these problems as well as a revision of the current system which allows juvenile offenders to avoid punishment because of their age. In June 2024, a new law came into force in Kazakhstan, which introduced liability for bullying and cyberbullying of minors. However, the deputy believes that additional measures are needed to combat juvenile violence. The age of criminal responsibility varies from country to country. In Japan, Ireland, and Morocco, children can be held responsible for crimes from the age of twelve. In India, the minimum age of responsibility is set at 12, with the caveat that for serious offenses such as murder or rape, the court may take into account the child's conscious actions.