On April 10, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a declaration aimed at introducing a gender approach in the Central Asian region, which was a significant success of Kazakh diplomacy and a step towards strengthening international cooperation in the field of women’s rights.
The document was signed by 21 representatives of the national parliaments from 12 PACE member states. It received the unanimous support of all five political groups of the Council of Europe, which indicates broad international solidarity towards the Kazakh initiative.
The Declaration highlights the initiative of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, put forward at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly in 2019, to establish the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
The PACE deputies expressed their support for this initiative, emphasizing its importance as a key platform for coordinating efforts for sustainable development in the region.
In addition, the document welcomes a joint initiative to provide educational opportunities to Afghan women in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
By 2027, more than 100 women from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan are expected to receive academic and professional degrees from universities in Central Asia.
Despite restrictions within the country, several Afghan women are receiving education in Kazakhstan and are happy about it.
This opinion was also expressed by a second-year student of the Eurasian University in Astana, Leila Safari.
- I am studying in Astana on second course on journalism. I came from Afghanistan, and this decision became an important stage in my life.
From the first days of my stay in Kazakhstan, I felt a warm attitude from Kazakhstanis. Despite the cultural differences, I quickly adapted due to the friendly atmosphere both at the university and beyond. Many teachers and students willingly helped me, especially in the first months, when I was just getting used to a new country.
I am grateful to Kazakhstan for the opportunity to study here, learn new traditions, and communicate with people of different nationalities and cultures, Leila said.
PACE deputy from Spain Laura Castel also stressed the importance of the adopted declaration and the creation of a Regional Center for Sustainable Development in Almaty.
“This center will become a key platform for coordinating efforts on sustainable development, especially in the context of the difficult situation in Afghanistan. The support of the Council of Europe member States will strengthen its role in promoting stability and progress in the region. Special attention is paid to gender equality, which is especially important for Afghanistan, where women’s rights are under threat,” said Laura Castel.
The declaration calls on the member States of the Council of Europe to support Kazakhstan’s humanitarian initiatives in Central Asia and to assist the countries of the region in their efforts on Afghanistan.
The document refers to the Council of Europe’s Gender Equality Strategy for 2024-2029 and highlights the fragility of progress in women’s rights, especially in light of the return of the Taliban to Afghanistan.
The adoption of this declaration in PACE demonstrates the growing international recognition of Kazakhstan’s role in promoting sustainable development and gender equality in Central Asia, as well as its efforts to support Afghan women. The United Nations Regional Center in Almaty is expected to become an important tool for implementing these initiatives and strengthening multilateral cooperation in the region.
