Paper short abstract:

Based on the analysis of gender curriculum in higher education institutions, this paper aims to explore the ways the Government of Kazakhstan's policy of mainstreaming gender equality in higher education institutions (HEIs) is enacted on the ground and to what effect.

Paper long abstract:

This paper aims to explore the ways the Government of Kazakhstan's policy of mainstreaming gender equality in higher education institutions (HEIs) is enacted on the ground and to what effect. Kazakhstan has initiated the policy of gender mainstreaming in HEIs to fulfill its commitment to global gender equality initiatives. To respond to the government's agenda on gender equality, HEIs established centers and institutions on gender research. In addition, in 2016, HEIs introduced elective courses on gender equality in wide-ranging disciplines. However, very little is known about how gender equality is understood or mainstreamed in educational courses in HEIs in Kazakhstan and how these courses are being produced and enacted.

Our preliminary analysis of 24 gender courses syllabi in pedagogy, psychology, sociology, gender policies, and philosophy suggests that gender and gender equality are framed around gender policies initiated by the government. Many syllabi reflect the state and international conventions, state laws about labor division, work payment, work benefits such as vacation and sick leaves divided between men and women, and the roles and tasks of working men and women in the family. Our preliminary findings indicate that the curriculum entrenches gender norms and stereotypes, emphasizing clear boundaries between men and women, male/female, girls/boys. Empowering woman means strengthening democracy in Kazakhstan. However, this approach at the same time promotes motherhood as an end-goal for women by presenting women as "gentle, kind and devoted human beings oriented towards being a good wife and mother," whereas "boys need to be taught how to be resilient, responsible and brave husbands." Gender courses are taught mostly by female instructors, and there is a lack of emphasis on Kazakhstani historical context about gender relationships.

Furthermore, we observed controversies between theoretical approaches outlined in the course description and course content and the exclusion of non-binary identities or presenting non-binary identities as 'abnormal.' Key readings include covering general aspects of gender but rarely consider local problems and issues in Kazakhstan. These contradictions within the curriculum raise various challenges in mainstreaming gender equality. These challenges will be discussed, and their policy implications will be offered.

Paper short abstract:

The paper is based on a series of interviews with trans activists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan conducted in spring 2022. It seeks to describe challenges faced by trans people in the region in the social, legal and medical spheres and how trans activists respond to them.

Paper long abstract:

While LGBT activism in Central Asia has received some scholarly attention, trans issues are mentioned by researchers only in passing. At the same time, trans politics oftentimes focuses on different topics and follows different trajectories. The present paper is based on a series of interviews with trans activists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan conducted in spring 2022. It seeks to describe challenges faced by trans people in the region in the social, legal and medical spheres and how trans activists respond to them. Trans people face persuasive discrimination which results in their lack of access to education and employment, harassment and violence. While trans-specific medical services (hormonal therapy, surgeries) are available, their quality leaves much to be desired. Even when legal gender recognition is possible, it requires psychiatric assessment and medical interventions. To counter these adverse circumstances, trans activists employ a number of activities, including trainings to develop skills and raise capacity of trans people, awareness-raising events for doctors and policy-makers, advocacy with authorities and (rarely) public protests. The author tries to link developments within activism to broader political processes and distribution of resources. The procedure of legal gender recognition in Kyrgyzstan is good example of how broader politics intervenes in the lives of trans people: the possibility to amend one's legal gender was removed from legislation soon after Sadyr Japarov coming to power. At the same time, respondents contend that developments in other spheres are largely independent of general politics. They report increased awareness and capacity within communities and among friendly specialists as a result of activists' interventions. All in all, the study reveals a complex picture of trans activism in Central Asia where activists push for change despite adverse conditions.

Paper short abstract:

This paper if focusing on the harmful social conditions, practices and norms that influence risks of domestic violence, implementing socio-ecological model, using mixed data from 1999 to 2022. The findings show that financial independency, education and employment have impact on domestic violence.

Paper long abstract:

Aim. This paper if focusing on the harmful social conditions, practices and norms that influence risks of domestic violence. This paper aimed to fill up the existing gaps in multi-sectoral violence prevention literature. Nowadays, due to COVID19, situation in the region families encounter more socio-economical issues, particularly for migration-related households. As it is known, socio-economical issues of the family have significant impact on domestic violence. Risks of domestic violence for women living in rural areas are higher comparing with urban area.

Method. The paper is based on socio-ecological model suggested by international scholars and organizations, like UN Women etc. Social-Ecological model has four level – Individual, Relationship, Community and Societal. On each level it studies factors of domestic violence.

Data. The paper is based on data on domestic violence that was collected the nation-wide WHO 1999 Pilot

Survey (WHO 2000), two surveys collected by PDV in 2009 and 2011, and the data that are being collected. The 2022 data will be the main base for the research. We are collecting data based on sampling plan of 30 Focus-group discussions, 30 Interviews and participant observations.

The structure of the data and sampling plan allows to achieving the goals of the research.

Initial findings. Initial results show that there are many factors affecting domestic violence on different socio-ecological levels. Patterns of domestic violence are different for urban and rural. Financial independency, education level and employment state of the women have significant impact on domestic violence.

Paper short abstract:

The paper deals with an understanding the causes of the family conflicts and devorces in Uzbekistan. Author argues that existing sociological surveys show a superficial picture related to general causes that can be found in any country. and do not touch specific causes rooted in Uzbek traditions.

Paper long abstract:

Uzbek statistics show a growth of family conflicts, home violence, and divorces in Uzbekistan. Before 2017 the topic of the growth of divorces was a kind of taboo. In 2018 it became the constant guest on the pages of mass media. Scientists, journalists, representatives of authorities try to understand the reasons for this growth and what should be changed in our society to stop it.

This is a serious problem for the Uzbek government because solutions to these problems in the family sphere are a real headache for the government. Recently, on the conference call, the President of Uzbekistanemotionally said: “What is going on?! Please, stop divorces”. Why the President is so worried about the rising divorce rate?

There are big differences between the consequences of divorces in developed countries and the developing (not rich) countries, including Uzbekistan.

In the present West, marriage is a decision of two people (“loving hearts”) and they divorce when they understand that they don’t love each other anymore, or they are too different, etc. It is a sphere of privacy.

In Uzbekistan, the growth of divorces is not a private question, it is social problem with serious social and economic consequences. These consequences are following:

- a decrease of the living standards in incomplete families and growth of the poverty;

- unemployment among women after divorce;

- growth of prostitution;

- child crimes;

- low level of education among children;

- suicides.

According to sociological surveys, the main reasons are misunderstanding and conflicts, especially during the first years of marriage. The explanatory scheme is simple: mutual misunderstanding leads to conflicts, and conflicts lead to divorces.

How to solve this problem? If we accept this explanatory scheme it is simple: it is necessary to teach young people to understand each other and take steps towards each other.

Many state organizations (Committee of women, Scientific Center “Family”, local powers, etc.) are involved in this process of teaching, now. They organize training, courses, and seminars for young couples, publish books, establish special TV programs (how to make steps towards each other), etc. Huge money has been spent on this activity. The last statistic data show that number of divorces is decreasing, now!

Really, scientific explanations helped to solve an important social problem? No, the state bodies just stopped to divorce.

The author argues that the real cause of the divorces is a crisis of traditional marriage in Uzbek society. And, no courses, seminars, and methodical instructions can solve this problem.

In traditional society, the decision on marriage (whom to marry, at what age to marry) is made not by a young couple (“loving hearts”) but by their parents (clans).

One of the forms of traditional marriage is early marriage. According to surveys, the main reasons for divorces are mutual misunderstandings and, as a result, conflicts. Why young spouses don’t understand each other? They don’t know each other!

The paper shows why they don’t know each other, and the consequences of early marriages.