Essay: European Union & Kazakhstan: Partnership for my Future
European Union and Kazakhstan have been partners since the country’s independence in 1991 by promoting political cooperation, the economy and trade, development cooperation and civil society. However, for me partnership between EU and Kazakhstan is actually something more than just an economic cooperation and series of diplomatic meetings. I perceive it as an opportunity to promote gender equality and prevent gender-based violence in Kazakhstan. According to the UN, around one in three women and girls has experienced violence in her lifetime. As a young woman who is pursuing bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy I am deeply concerned about the representation of women in politics, lower female labour-force participation and the disproportionate burden of unpaid care. That’s why I believe that it’s important to have a powerful ally like the European Union in achieving gender equality.
Even as a little girl I understood that there was a “glass ceiling” that marginalized women in relation to men. I always wondered why the most powerful people I saw on the news were always men. I’ve been constantly told that being women in politics is not easy and I should reconsider my choice. However, this was the reason why I chose my major in politics. I’ve decided to push those barriers and make a change. I understand that making big changes might be very overwhelming and almost impossible. However, “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness”.
Today I’m already making little steps to achieve my goals. Earning a spot at Maqsut Narikbayev University on a full state grant was one of my biggest achievements for the last few years. I also served as a UNDP Student Ambassador in order to promote SDG goals, specifically Gender Equality. Through my journey I learned how to look at the world with a sense of realism. I served as a UNICEF and Red Crescent Society Volunteer to develop my skills. Becoming a highly qualified specialist whose success is defined solely by my talent is one of the main reasons for my commitment to my extracurricular activities. Moreover, I believe that just passing the laws is not enough, it needs behavioral change, which is basically one of the EU’s main goals.
In conclusion, I believe the path forward is collective and totally agree with the statement that empowering women is the key to our region's development. Challenging “invisible” barriers is also very essential. That’s why programs I believe that programs such as “Challenging Harmful Attitudes and Norms for Gender Equality (CHANGE)” would be very helpful in ensuring gender equality in our region. By aligning with EU standards, Kazakhstan will definitely adopt a proven, world-class system for protecting women’s rights. It’s very significant to keep in mind that this partnership is not only about gender equality, but also about the matter of Human Security. That’s why I can confidently say that with the support of EU, I’m ready to lead the change.
