Paper abstract:

This article examines the current status of women in politics in terms of ensuring women's equal access to participation in power structures, decision-making and leadership. Through a comprehensive study of the current legislative frameworks, institutional structures and national gender policies the research explores the rationale underlying male dominance in decision-making positions in the patriarchal public sector. By revealing barriers, challenges, and opportunities women leaders are still facing in New Kazakhstan it discusses and further theorizes the importance of achieving gender balance in leadership via public policies and institutional reforms that may improve people wellbeing, human rights, human development, and economic growth. Using the national and international databases and qualitative comparative analysis of government-led initiatives, this text rethinks our understanding of gender equality and the circumstances that lead to success in public policy and social change. It is shown that despite announced democratizing reforms to ensure women’s empowerment, the effectiveness of these measures is low. The article concludes with possible explanations for the observed women under-representation, policy implications for decision makers to ensure gender diversity in leadership, and directions for further research of the role that governments play in women leadership development.