Effective institutions for gender equality in Kazakhstan

The effectiveness of gender equality strategies is contingent upon the existence of institutional frameworks, adequate funding, continued capacity across government institutions and clear accountability, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Kazakhstan has made important strides in institutionalizing its gender machinery, which is led by the National Commission on Women’s Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy. Many mechanisms both at the central and at the local levels are already established and Kazakhstan must be applauded for these accomplishments. Yet, further steps are needed to clarify roles and responsibilities of different governmental stakeholders, and strengthening the capacities and resources of all government agencies and actors – namely the Secretariat of the National Commission on Women’s Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy - in gender-sensitive policy making, implementing and monitoring. This chapter assesses the overall institutional framework – institutions’ mandates, the allocation of resources, institutional capacity and accountability mechanisms – for furthering gender equality in Kazakhstan.