Kazakhstan's election to OSCE chairman post is great international recognition - S.Kurmanbayeva

One of the main priorities of the activity of the acting OSCE chairpersons is the issue of the third 'basket' promotion -observance of human rights and promotion of democratic processes", rector of the Semey Kazakh Innovation University of Humanities and Law Shyryn Kurmanbayeva considers.

Shyryn Kurmanbayeva is also a Doctor of Political Science, professor and member of the National Commission for Women Affairs and Family-Demographic Policy under the Kazakh President.

You are actively engaged in the family and women problems. In your opinion, how urgent will the issues of gender equality be in the course of Kazakhstan's OSCE chairmanship ?

The issues of gender equality are among the most important social problems at the present time. The gender policy represents state and public activity. Owing to the Head of the State, this policy got dynamic development and support of the state bodies in the country.

Within the framework of the activities dedicated to Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the OSCE our country with the support of state bodies and public organizations holds roundtables and seminars in order to study and introduce the best models of the OSCE member states in gender policy, demonstrate positive experience in gender policy implementation in the regional format and promote achievements of the National Commission for Women Affairs and Family-Demographic Policy under the Kazakh President.

What can you tell about the major directions of the country's gender policy?

The most important direction of the state policy is formation of an effective national system of protection of the rights and freedoms of men and citizen. And in this direction the National Commission for Women Affairs and Family-Demographic Policy under the Kazakh President is an effective mechanism. It was created by the Head of the State in 1995 for the family institution support, women and children advancement.

The National Commission developed from the Council on Family and Women Issues to the consultative and advisory body under the President. The high status of the Commission allows it to participate actively in formation of the gender-legal policy, actualize equal rights and equal opportunities.

The Commission elaborated the National Action Plan on Increasing the Status of Women in Kazakhstan and Gender Equality Strategy in Kazakhstan for 2006-2016 for the international standards implementation.

The country adopted the laws "On children's rights", "On Reproductive Rights of Citizens and Guarantees for their Realization" and etc. It is important that there was given a start to a big work on study of the problems of family, children, improvement of protection of maternity and childhood.

What gender priorities does the National Commission for Women Affairs and Family-Demographic Policy under the Kazakh President promote?

The special project "Tomiris" aimed at the political participation and women's cooperation is under implementation. There was created a network of schools of women leadership, which includes 36 public organizations. To date the number of women in the Majilis has increased twofold against the last convocation and makes up 16 percent, and in the maslikhats of all levels - 17 percent. Today over 54,000 women are involved in public service.

But there are some problems. Participation of women in decision-making has not yet reached the minimum 30 percent. Of course, there should be measures of the state prerogative - legislative and regulatory, administrative and political - for entry of women in politics. But only women themselves determine for themselves the significance of political activity on the basis of their own philosophical systems.

The life proved that only an economically independent woman is capable for self-realization. A woman-leader is a reality of our days.