Roundtable in Astana Held as Part of the “16 Days of Activism Against Violence” Campaign

On 28 November 2025, the National Academic Library in Astana hosted a roundtable dedicated to the international campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Violence.” The event was organized by the National Commission for Women Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with technical support from UN Women.

The roundtable brought together representatives of government bodies, international organizations, the expert community, and civil society institutions. Participants discussed systemic measures to strengthen the safety of women and children, as well as ways to improve state policy in this field.

The “16 Days of Activism” campaign, held annually from 25 November to 10 December in more than 90 countries, aims to raise public awareness and promote a culture of zero tolerance for violence. Kazakhstan has traditionally supported the initiative, with the National Commission acting as the main coordinator of activities across the country, bringing together the efforts of government bodies, NGOs, and civil society partners.

The roundtable was moderated by Aiman Umarova, Deputy Chairperson of the National Commission, National Council member, lawyer, and human rights defender. Speakers included Elvira Azimova, Chair of the Constitutional Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Ceren Güven Güres, Representative of UN Women in Kazakhstan; and Artur Lastaev, Ombudsperson for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Key experts and government representatives presented thematic reports. The Deputy Prosecutor General discussed modern challenges of cyberviolence and prosecutorial response measures. Lyazzat Rakisheva, coordinator of the One-Stop Service project, shared practical results and lessons learned from the initiative supported by the National Commission. Zulfiya Baisakova highlighted the role of crisis centers as the first line of protection and the importance of early intervention.

Elena Tarasenko, Deputy Chairperson of the National Commission, presented state–NGO–international partnership approaches within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Dr. Marat Kogamov, Doctor of Law, spoke about the specifics of women’s participation in criminal proceedings, while Bayan Zhandosova shared experience in supporting survivors of violence — from emergency intervention to long-term rehabilitation.

Special attention was given to issues of reproductive health, women’s economic independence, engaging fathers in prevention work, developing digital platforms to ensure safety, and strengthening interagency cooperation with civil society institutions.

The National Commission emphasized that building a culture of zero tolerance for violence requires a systemic, long-term approach, strengthening legal literacy, and uniting the efforts of the state, experts, and NGOs.

At the conclusion of the event, active participants and experts received Certificates of Appreciation in recognition of their contribution to advancing initiatives aimed at protecting women and children.