SHARECountry Data
Kazakhstan (Republic of Kazakhstan) has a Bicameral parliament with legislated quotas for the single/lower house and at the sub-national level. 29 of 106 (27%) seats in the Mazhilis / House of Representatives are held by women.
At a glance
Structure of Parliament: Bicameral
Are there legislated quotas...
- For the Single/Lower House? Yes
- For the Upper House? No
- For the Sub-National Level? Yes
Are there voluntary quotas...
- Adopted by political parties?
Is there additional information?...
- Yes
Last updated: Feb 9, 2022
Single/Lower House
Mazhilis / House of Representatives
| Total seats | 106 |
| Total Women | 29 |
| % Women | 27% |
| Election Year | 2016 |
| Electoral System | List PR |
| Quota Type | Legislated Candidate Quotas |
| Election details | IDEA Voter Turnout - IPU Parline |
| Legal source | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Quota type: Legislated Candidate Quotas | Constitution | A minimum of 30% of the total number of persons included in a party list must be women and persons under the age of 29. (N2464 of 28 Sep 1995, Article 89 (4) as amended by Constitutional Law 335-VI 3PK of 25 May 2020). Additionally, when approving candidates party lists in becoming members for the House of Representatives, Regional Councils, and Local Councils, a political party is to consist of a minimum of 30% of total candidates being at least women and persons under the age of 29. (N344 of 15 Jul 2002, Article 15 (1) as amended by Constitutional Law 336-VI 3PK of 25 May 2020). |
| Electoral law | ||
| Legal sanctions for non-compliance | No data available | |
| Rank order/placement rules | No data available | |
| Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties related to gender equality among candidates? | No | See more in International IDEA's Political Finance database |
| Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties? | No | See more in International IDEA's Political Finance database |
Quota at the Sub-National Level
- Quota type: Legislated Candidate Quotas
| Legal source | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Quota type: Legislated Candidate Quotas | Constitution | A minimum of 30% of the total number of persons included in a party list must be women and persons under the age of 29. (N2464 of 28 Sep 1995, Article 89 (4) as amended by Constitutional Law 335-VI 3PK of 25 May 2020). Additionally, when approving candidates party lists in becoming members for the House of Representatives, Regional Councils, and Local Councils, a political party is to consist of a minimum of 30% of total candidates being at least women and persons under the age of 29. (N344 of 15 Jul 2002, Article 15 (1) as amended by Constitutional Law 336-VI 3PK of 25 May 2020). |
| Electoral law | ||
| Legal sanctions for non-compliance | ||
| Rank order/placement rules | No data available |
Additional Information
In Autumn 2019 an Alliance of Female Power of Kazakhstan was established to address concerns of women and children's rights as well as equal opportunities within politics and economic fields. The Alliance went on to propose the 30% quota and alternation lists, whilst advocating the 50-50 quotas at the regional level (Zakon.kz, 2019).
In autumn 1998, the Coalition "Women's Electoral Initiatives" was established, which includes 20 women's organizations. In August 1999, the Coalition sent a memorandum to all registered parties calling for them to include at least 5 percent of women candidates in their party lists for the parliamentary elections. In June 1999, a public foundation "Women's Electoral Block" was set up to support women candidates. In the course of this active involvement of women in the 1999 electoral process, the first women's party was born - the Political Alliance of Women's Organizations.
Sources
LEGAL SOURCES:
Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Website
OTHER SOURCES:
Interparliamentary Union [IPU] Parline - Kazakhstan Country Profile
Additional reading
- UN Women. (n.d.). Republic of Kazakhstan. [Last Accessed: 2022-03-15]
- Maltseva, E. (2021). Women’s political empowerment in Post-Soviet Kazakhstan. In: Karabchuk T., Kumo K., Gatskova K., Skoglund E. (eds) Gendering Post-Soviet Space. Springer, Singapore.doi:10.1007/978-981-15-9358-1_15
- European Institute for Asian Studies [EIAS]. (2020). Women empowerment and gender equality in Kazakhstan.
- OECD. (2017). Kazakhstan: Gender policy delivery review. [preliminary version] For the full gender policy delivery version click here.
- National Democratic Institute [NDI]. (October 3, 2011). Women in Kazakhstan seek equality at executive levels. [Last Accessed: 2022-03-15]