Adilbek Baishigashev | 07.04.2024
The role of women in the economy of Kazakhstan. Gender inequality in the labour market
The gender inequality problem in Kazakhstan is still relevant today. Taken as a starting point in the “Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action” (1995), “women” and “economy” were emphasized as one of the 12 crucial areas. The situation has changed over the last 29 years, however, we are far from equal access to economic resources, despite this, women now work in factories, as farmers, as CEOs of businesses, as scientists, engineers, doctors, and in a host of other professions that were formerly unimaginable. Nevertheless, some stereotypes and biases are still taking place in society, which are the hindering factors of the growth of women's role in the economy.
First of all, let’s talk about stereotypes. By 2024, there are some statements, that limit women's opportunities, lack of access to education and training, unequal family opportunities, and discriminatory practices in hiring and promotion. Here are some of them:
To be honest, hearing these statements is unthinkable and amusingly because women play a huge role in the economy of Kazakhstan.
First of all, let’s talk about stereotypes. By 2024, there are some statements, that limit women's opportunities, lack of access to education and training, unequal family opportunities, and discriminatory practices in hiring and promotion. Here are some of them:
- In some professions or jobs, women are less capable or skilled than men.
- Caregiving and household responsibilities are better suited for women.
- Women are not assertive enough or are too emotional to make good leaders.
- Women will put family obligations before work.
To be honest, hearing these statements is unthinkable and amusingly because women play a huge role in the economy of Kazakhstan.
Fig. 2: Active Individual Entrepreneurship, where the managers are women.
According to Ranking(2022), by the beginning of 2022, there were already 9.84 million women living in the Republic of Kazakhstan - 1.2% more than a year earlier. This is 51.4% of the country's total population, 48.5% of the economically active population are Kazakh women, and women comprise 48.1% of all employed people in the country and 48.9% of all hired workers (Fig.1). In individual entrepreneurship, the role of women is also great. The number of registered individual entrepreneurs, with women managers, increased by 9.1% over the year, to 625.1 thousand by the end of 2021. Their share of the total number of individual entrepreneurs also increased - from 47.4% to 49% over the year (Fig.2). At the same time, gender equality in the country is still very far away. For instance, in Kazakhstan, the salary gap between men and women is 22%.
Furthermore, the Republic of Kazakhstan's unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of 2021 was 4.9%; however, if the figure for men was 4.1%, it was 5.1% for women, and this is even though women make up a disproportionately larger and more skilled group of specialists than men. For instance, before the epidemic, the percentage of women enrolled in higher education in the Republic of Kazakhstan was 73.2%. In comparison, the percentage of men was only 61.1%, and 52.4% of the research professionals were female, compared to 47.6% of the male population. The role of women in the economy is still discriminated against despite all their contributions and benefits to the system. A McKinsey analysis estimates that by 2025, women's equal involvement in the economy would contribute $28 trillion, or 11%–26%, to the world GDP. In the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern and Central Asia, this would equate to a 9% GDP increase.
So what are the bottom line and perspectives for Kazakh women?
The overall picture is mixed. The salary gap and stereotypes are still obstacles to an equal labor situation, however, with the right approach and competent solutions, the situation can be changed, thereby contributing to the economic growth of the country.
As the solution, enforcing anti-discrimination laws and providing access to high-quality education and training, could be a key. As an enforcing anti-discrimination law, strengthen the enforcement of existing laws that prohibit discrimination based on gender in the workplace. This involves making certain that discrimination complaints are thoroughly looked into and that those who violate the law suffer the repercussions. As for education and training, increasing women's and girls' access to high-quality educational and career-training opportunities, especially in underrepresented disciplines like STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), or providing scholarships, grants, and financial assistance to support women's participation in education and training programs is the key to success. These solutions might upend the current situation and ensure the potential growth of the economy
Women, like men, are important representatives of our society, and in some places, they are even superior to the opposite sex. We must provide all possible conditions for their development because we will not slow down, but rather strengthen the further growth of our country. They are not only inspirers, motivators, and supporters, but also excellent leaders and reliance of our state. Only some have understood this, but in the future, everyone will be convinced of this.
According to Ranking(2022), by the beginning of 2022, there were already 9.84 million women living in the Republic of Kazakhstan - 1.2% more than a year earlier. This is 51.4% of the country's total population, 48.5% of the economically active population are Kazakh women, and women comprise 48.1% of all employed people in the country and 48.9% of all hired workers (Fig.1). In individual entrepreneurship, the role of women is also great. The number of registered individual entrepreneurs, with women managers, increased by 9.1% over the year, to 625.1 thousand by the end of 2021. Their share of the total number of individual entrepreneurs also increased - from 47.4% to 49% over the year (Fig.2). At the same time, gender equality in the country is still very far away. For instance, in Kazakhstan, the salary gap between men and women is 22%.
Furthermore, the Republic of Kazakhstan's unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of 2021 was 4.9%; however, if the figure for men was 4.1%, it was 5.1% for women, and this is even though women make up a disproportionately larger and more skilled group of specialists than men. For instance, before the epidemic, the percentage of women enrolled in higher education in the Republic of Kazakhstan was 73.2%. In comparison, the percentage of men was only 61.1%, and 52.4% of the research professionals were female, compared to 47.6% of the male population. The role of women in the economy is still discriminated against despite all their contributions and benefits to the system. A McKinsey analysis estimates that by 2025, women's equal involvement in the economy would contribute $28 trillion, or 11%–26%, to the world GDP. In the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern and Central Asia, this would equate to a 9% GDP increase.
So what are the bottom line and perspectives for Kazakh women?
The overall picture is mixed. The salary gap and stereotypes are still obstacles to an equal labor situation, however, with the right approach and competent solutions, the situation can be changed, thereby contributing to the economic growth of the country.
As the solution, enforcing anti-discrimination laws and providing access to high-quality education and training, could be a key. As an enforcing anti-discrimination law, strengthen the enforcement of existing laws that prohibit discrimination based on gender in the workplace. This involves making certain that discrimination complaints are thoroughly looked into and that those who violate the law suffer the repercussions. As for education and training, increasing women's and girls' access to high-quality educational and career-training opportunities, especially in underrepresented disciplines like STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), or providing scholarships, grants, and financial assistance to support women's participation in education and training programs is the key to success. These solutions might upend the current situation and ensure the potential growth of the economy
Women, like men, are important representatives of our society, and in some places, they are even superior to the opposite sex. We must provide all possible conditions for their development because we will not slow down, but rather strengthen the further growth of our country. They are not only inspirers, motivators, and supporters, but also excellent leaders and reliance of our state. Only some have understood this, but in the future, everyone will be convinced of this.
