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Gender imbalance

Uzbek Official Dismissed After Viral Lap-Sitting Video Sparks Gender Debate

A government official in Uzbekistan has been dismissed following the circulation of a video showing him with a female subordinate sitting on his lap during an online meeting. The footage, which went viral on social media, prompted a public backlash, with the Ministry of Employment and Labor issuing a statement describing the incident as a “violation of the ethics of a civil servant.” The dismissal of the head of the district department of employment and poverty reduction in Samarkand was confirmed by the ministry. The woman in the video, reportedly an assistant at the agency, has not been publicly named and is believed to have resigned voluntarily. The incident has sparked a broader discussion about workplace conduct, gender dynamics, and women’s rights in Uzbekistan, where traditional norms continue to influence professional and personal life. Gender and Power in the Uzbek Workplace In recent years, Uzbekistan has made significant progress regarding the participation of women in public life. Women currently hold about 32 seats in the 150-member Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (national parliament). However, their visibility in executive positions and technical fields remains limited. In Uzbekistan, only 35.4 % of the population aged between 15–64 in the labor force are women, and they earn about 34 % less than men. The World Bank estimates that equal participation and wages could boost the country's GDP by 29 % and lift over 700,000 people out of poverty. The government has introduced various reforms aimed at improving gender equality, including protections against domestic violence, promoting women's entrepreneurship, and gender budgeting initiatives. However, critics argue that these measures are often symbolic or inconsistently enforced. Cultural Taboo and Social Media The lap-sitting video has sparked a wave of internet commentary from both men and women in Uzbekistan, where public discussions of gender roles are often muted. Some saw the video as a clear example of workplace harassment and power imbalance, while others downplayed its significance or blamed the woman involved. Observers argue that the case highlights deeper structural issues within Uzbek institutions, where entrenched gender hierarchies and informal power dynamics often go unchallenged. In many areas of public and private life, the country remains deeply patriarchal, and whilst public discourse around consent, professional boundaries, and gender equality is growing, it remains nascent. A Moment for Change? The government’s decisive response to the video may signal a growing awareness of public expectations and international scrutiny. For activists and reformers, the hope is that this moment can serve as more than a spectacle and lead to more conversations about power, professionalism, and the role of women in modern Uzbekistan. As one widely shared comment on Telegram put it: “It’s not about the lap. It’s about who gets to sit at the table.”

Domestic Violence

‘Saltanat’s Law’: Have the Lives of Kazakhstani Women Changed?

One year ago, on April 15, 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a landmark package of legislative amendments aimed at addressing domestic violence in Kazakhstan. Quickly dubbed 'Saltanat's Law' by the public, the reforms are seen as honoring the memory of 31-year-old Saltanat Nukenova, who was brutally murdered by former Minister of the Economy, Kuandyk Bishimbayev. First Results: Statistics, Challenges, and New Realities Nukenova’s death and the viral public outcry under the hashtags #SupportSaltanat and #LifeImprisonment, catapulted domestic violence from the policy periphery to a national priority, prompting Parliament to pass amendments within weeks. The legislation reinstated criminal liability for battery and minor bodily harm, introduced penalties for repeat offenses within a year, prohibited reconciliation in cases involving minors, and instituted life sentences for murder and sexual violence against children. The law came into force on June 16, 2024. One year on, activists say there is enough data to evaluate early outcomes. Crucially, advocates note that the law has empowered women with legal language: for the first time, they can cite specific criminal statutes rather than relying solely on moral appeals. Yet, infrastructure has lagged. At the time of the legislation's adoption, there were 49 crisis centers nationwide; by mid-2025, that number had grown to 69. Still, 85% of districts lack access to shelters. With a population exceeding 1.2 million, Shymkent has only one center despite receiving 11,000 violence-related complaints. The Abay and Kyzylorda regions have none. Funding remains precarious: this spring, the Turkestan region’s largest center nearly closed due to unpaid utility bills. While international organizations provide training and grants, a stable government funding mechanism is still absent. Voices from Across Kazakhstan The Times of Central Asia spoke with women from various cities to gauge how the law has impacted daily life and their perceptions of safety. Kamilla, 21, a barista in Almaty, has observed a subtle shift: “Men have become more cautious, especially older ones. Bosses who used to make threatening or derogatory comments are more restrained now. They fear imprisonment, not just a fine. Still, I’m not confident the police would take my side. Many people still say, ‘It’s your own fault.’ But among my friends, few would ever justify violence. That’s already progress.” Madina, 19, a student from Taraz, sees increased online engagement: “Now, when someone shares their story, it goes viral," she told TCA. "People comment, repost, and demand justice. But on the ground, in the neighborhoods, little has changed. Women are still afraid. There’s nowhere to go, and often no family support.” Gulnara, 39, an accountant in Astana, recalls a neighbor’s silence: “She was often beaten. We offered help, but she waved us off. She didn’t want ‘to air dirty laundry.’ It’s not just about laws, it’s about mentality. Many still see the law as distant, irrelevant to their own lives.” Dana, 27, a makeup artist in Kostanay, says the law offers emotional support: “When it passed, we felt heard. But we know it’s just a beginning," she told TCA. "Young people are more outspoken...

Domestic Violence

Kazakhstan’s Domestic Violence Law Brings Progress Amid Ongoing Challenges

Crimes against women and children have declined over the past year in Kazakhstan, a trend attributed to a sweeping new law on domestic violence. Despite these gains, authorities caution that women and children remain at significant risk from abuse. Persistent Challenge On June 16, 2024, Kazakhstan's Law on Ensuring the Rights of Women and the Safety of Children came into force, having been signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev two months earlier. Since the outset of his presidency, Tokayev has identified combating domestic violence as a top policy priority. Children’s Ombudsman Dinara Zakieva reported that roughly 900 crimes against the sexual integrity of minors are recorded annually. Since the law’s enactment, at least 25 individuals convicted of sexual violence against children have received life sentences. Meanwhile, according to Marat Abishev of the General Prosecutor’s Office, at least 80 women die from domestic violence each year. Law enforcement officials stress that official statistics significantly underreport the true extent of domestic abuse. Surveys suggest that one in three women in Kazakhstan has experienced physical violence, threats, or psychological pressure. The new law has introduced tougher criminal penalties for domestic abuse, as well as protective and preventative mechanisms. Amendments to the Criminal Code now bar lenient sentences for crimes involving violence against minors and prohibit reconciliation between victims and perpetrators in such cases. The sole punishment for the murder or rape of a minor is now life imprisonment. The law also establishes liability for the sexual harassment of persons under 16 and introduces penalties for inciting or abetting suicide. Initial Results State Secretary Yerlan Karin recently shared data showing early progress under the new legislation. In the first five months of 2025, reports of domestic violence dropped by 20.5% compared to the same period in 2024. The number of serious domestic crimes fell by 29%, while particularly serious offenses declined by 44%. Crimes against the sexual integrity of minors decreased by 21.3%, and pedophilia-related offenses dropped by 40.7%. Karin noted that crimes against women have halved over the past five years, crediting stricter penalties and improved prevention efforts for the amelioration. He also highlighted a rise in the detection of domestic violence cases, facilitated by a new mechanism allowing authorities to launch investigations without a complaint from the victim. Between January and May 2025, more than 19,000 such cases were identified through mobile patrol units, police reports, witness statements, and social media monitoring. To improve reporting mechanisms, QR codes for the national 111 contact center are now displayed in schools. This has led to a spike in outreach: in the first five months of 2025, children sent more than 86,000 messages, with over 2,000 seeking help for violence or bullying. In 28 cases, potential suicides were prevented. Adults also placed over 62,000 calls to the center, many concerning domestic violence. Kazakhstan currently operates 20 psychological support centers and family support services in 112 districts and cities. A new prevention initiative, mandatory psychological counseling for aggressors, was introduced this year, with courts ordering 52 individuals...

Women's rights

Stealing Brides, Ignoring Justice: The Battle Against Forced Marriage in Central Asia

The abduction of girls for forced marriage remains a troubling and persistent practice across Central Asia. While Kazakhstan has been progressively tightening its legal framework to better protect women's rights, bride kidnapping continues to pose a serious human rights challenge throughout the region. Fighting the Middle Ages? Bride kidnapping has long been practiced in Central Asia and the Caucasus. In contemporary times, some instances are consensual, carried out as a form of cultural theatre to reduce the high cost of weddings in traditional societies. However, when carried out without the woman’s explicit permission, the ritual becomes a form of gender-based violence. Efforts to combat non-consensual bride kidnapping have been ongoing since the Soviet era, yet the practice endures. According to some Kazakhstani legislators, the current laws are no longer adequate to address the full scope of the issue. The existing criminal code’s general provisions on abduction, they argue, fall short of tackling the specific dynamics of forced marriage. Mazhilis Deputy Murat Abenov has proposed introducing explicit criminal liability for coercion into marriage. “Over the past three years, 214 complaints have been filed in Kazakhstan from people who were forced into marriage. Only ten of them reached court. Hundreds of criminal cases were simply closed,” Abenov stated. “Even though the girl proved that she had been kidnapped, that she had jumped out of the car, that force had been used against her, nothing could be done.” New legislative amendments have been drafted and are expected to be debated in the Mazhilis, Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament. The proposed law introduces a scale of penalties based on the severity of the offense. “There is administrative liability, there will be a large fine, and in serious cases where the girl is under 18 or where force is used or by a group of people, there will be more serious liability, up to criminal liability, five to seven years in prison,” Abenov explained. This new law could be enacted by the end of 2025. Kazakhstan's Human Rights Commissioner, Artur Lastaev, addressed the issue in February 2024 in the wake of a high-profile case in Shymkent. “The practice of kidnapping girls for the purpose of marriage is still widespread in our country, especially in the southern regions. In some cases, such actions result in sexual assault, humiliation, unlawful deprivation of liberty, and even suicide,” Lastaev stated. “Saltanat’s Law” Written in Blood In June 2024, Kazakhstan implemented a sweeping new law entitled “On Amendments to Ensure the Rights of Women and the Safety of Children.” Though years in the making, the law is colloquially known as “Saltanat’s Law,” named after Saltanat Nukenova, a young woman who was brutally murdered by her common-law husband, Kuandyk Bishimbayev, a former senior government official. In November 2023, Bishimbayev beat Nukenova over the course of a night in a restaurant in Astana. After she lost consciousness, he attempted to conceal the crime instead of seeking medical help. In May 2024, following a highly publicized trial, Bishimbayev was sentenced to 24 years...

Women's rights

Almaty University Criticized After Female Students Told to Bow to Men

A controversy has erupted at the Kazakh National Pedagogical University (KazNPU) in Almaty after first-year female students were instructed to bow to men during an orientation session. The incident, which triggered widespread criticism, has drawn sharp condemnation on social media and reignited debates about gender roles in Kazakhstani society. According to social media posts, female students were gathered in an auditorium where they were shown a video containing behavioral "recommendations." In the footage, men of varying ages advised young women on how to conduct themselves in public, including avoiding revealing clothing, refraining from loud speech, and bowing to men as a sign of respect. The online response was overwhelmingly critical: “I am for modesty, but bowing? I’m a guy myself, and I don’t support this.” “At this rate, it won’t just be North Korea waiting for us, but Afghanistan too. What’s next, banning women from education?” “Instead of teaching girls about their rights, financial literacy, or where to seek help, they’re being taught useless things, like how to be patient and accommodating.” “Disobedient girls are Kazakhstan’s main problem, aren’t they?” “And when will men be taught not to beat women and to respect their mothers?” The KazNPU administration released a statement in response, promising stricter oversight of educational materials used in student events: “On May 5, an educational session was held at the university to promote national values and enhance the cultural and moral awareness of students, aligned with the ethical philosophy of Abai Kunanbayev. Although similar content has not previously drawn criticism, the video shown during this session sparked a mixed reaction and significant debate. The administration acknowledges the concerns and will exercise heightened caution in selecting materials for such events going forward.” The university also stated that KazNPU is a secular institution committed to upholding students’ rights to personal choice and freedom of expression. The controversy continues to fuel discussions online, highlighting broader tensions between traditional values and contemporary views on gender and education in Kazakhstan. This is not the first time Kazakhstani universities have come under scrutiny. In February 2025, a second-year student at Nazarbayev University in Astana was detained by law enforcement after being caught secretly recording female students in a restroom. The university launched an internal investigation following a public outcry. In another incident, a guest business coach at a university in Almaty, later identified as Aika Aleami, prompted complaints after asking students to close their eyes and sing along to what appeared to be religious music. Aleami later clarified that the exercise was intended as a mindfulness technique, not a religious practice, citing its popularity in Western wellness programs.

Children's Rights

Kazakhstan Cracks Down on Crimes Against Children and Women

Kazakhstan’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Dinara Zakiyeva, has outlined the scale of sexual violence against minors and the state’s efforts to combat it by strengthening legislation and support systems. Legislative Changes In April 2024, Kazakhstan introduced sweeping amendments to its criminal legislation, significantly increasing penalties for crimes against women and children. On April 15, 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed into law the On Amendments and Additions to Some Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Ensuring Women's Rights and Children's Safety. Key changes to the Criminal Code include: Prohibition of lenient sentencing for crimes involving violence against minors; Elimination of reconciliation between parties in cases involving violence against minors; Introduction of life imprisonment as the sole penalty for the murder of a minor (Article 99), rape of a minor (Article 120), and other violent sexual acts against minors (Article 121), removing alternative sentencing options; Criminalization of sexual solicitation of individuals under 16; and Legal liability for inciting or assisting in suicide. Scope of the Problem According to Zakiyeva, approximately 900 crimes related to the sexual abuse of minors are reported in Kazakhstan each year. Since the enactment of the new law, 25 to 27 individuals have already received life sentences for such offenses. The highest incidence of these crimes is recorded in southern Kazakhstan, specifically Almaty, Turkestan, and Zhambyl regions, as well as West Kazakhstan and Kostanay regions. Zakiyeva notes that these areas often have high population density and conservative family structures that may conceal abuse. Zakiyeva shared disturbing cases of underage girls who had given birth as a result of prolonged abuse. “In Zhambyl region, I met a 13-year-old girl who had been raped for six years by her two uncles. In Turkestan region, I visited a center housing 16 underage mothers, aged 13 to 15, all of whom were victims of abuse by relatives. Many didn’t even realize they were victims of a crime, they believed this was normal family life,” she said. Prevention and Support The children’s ombudsman emphasized that effective anti-violence strategies globally rely on four pillars: strengthening legal frameworks; promoting self-defense and awareness; working with families to identify risk factors early; and expanding support infrastructure for victims. Kazakhstan’s new legislation supports preventive measures such as deploying mobile teams to identify at-risk families and establishing family support centers in every district. Currently, 112 such centers are operational, with another 109 underway. In Turkestan region alone, the number of centers has grown from one to 13, with four more soon to open. Helpline and Awareness In a single month, Kazakhstan’s national children’s helpline received 120 phone calls and 11,145 text messages. According to Zakiyeva, these messages often reveal the deep emotional isolation children feel. “Children feel alone. They’re scared to speak out. They’re afraid to tell anyone that they’re being threatened, blackmailed, or approached by strangers. Many can’t talk to their parents, teachers, or psychologists,” she said.