I Congress of Kazakhstan Women held in Astana
For the first time the most active and talented women involved in various sectors of Kazakhstan's development gathered under one roof to express themselves.
The event brought together about 1, 000 delegates from every region of the country. These are the representatives of state bodies, NGOs, social institutions, deputies of the Parliament, prominent public figures, renowned writers and singers, militaries, youth, sportswomen, etc.
Head of State Nursultan Nazarbayev welcomed the Forum participants and congratulated the women of Kazakhstan on the forthcoming International Women's Day.
"Our women greatly contribute to strengthening of Kazakhstan's independence and sovereignty. Kazakh people have always considered a man as a master of the house and a woman has always been a keeper of the national traditions and values. Women embody the beginning of human life. Today the women of Kazakhstan are more involved in public, political and social life of the country. There are many businessmen among them.
Women inspire and support men in their deeds. Therefore, I think that the oncoming 20th anniversary of our independence is, first of all, the holiday of our dear ladies. I am grateful to you for all you have done and do. I wish you health, happiness and success!," N. Nazarbayev said.
Prior to the Congress, a nationwide program called "Newswire of Wishes" was launched. It was implemented from mid February to March 1. The program allowed the women expressing their concerns and needs via Internet and special boxes set in public places the countrywide.
According to Gulshara Abdykalikova, Minister of Labor and Social Protection and Chair of the National Commission for Women, Family and Demographic Policy Affairs, during March 11-17 women's conferences were held the countrywide. "Great preparatory work was conducted before the Forum. The outcomes of these conferences will be on agenda of the current meeting," she said.
Director of Almaty Gymnasium No159 Aigul Mirazova delivering a speech thanked the President for his policy directed on resolution of social problems, development of education. In particular, she touched upon Bolashak presidential program due to which over 40 graduates of the Gymnasium had studied abroad under the program. "The most talented young people of the country get education in the best foreign universities and after graduation serve for the good of the nation. This is all thanks to your wise and consistent policy," she said.
As Chief Financial Officer of the Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation Zaure Zaurbekova said, the Company was ready to participate in the program of initial public offering. "The ENRC hugely contributes to increasing competitiveness of the country's economy under the State Program of Forced-Industrial Innovative development and participation in People's IPO program," she added.
Zifa-Alua Auezova, lecturer of The Netherlands' Leiden University, granddaughter of famous Kazakh writer Mukhtar Auezov, noted that the image of Kazakhstan in the international arena had changed significantly in this period. "The European countries are more interested in Kazakhstan to date due to its chairmanship in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe," she stressed.
Chairman of the Majilis Committee on Socio-Cultural Development D. Nuketayeva highlighted the necessity of supporting large families. "State bodies, public associations should be actively involved in this process", she added.
Nazira Boltirikova, a student of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, having thanked the President for his constant attention to the students, proposed to introduce membership discounts for sports and cultural clubs in all regions as well as to introduce interest-free mortgages for resolving housing problems of the youth.
Champion of the VII Asian Games Galiya Nurgaliyeva (women's ice hockey) expressed gratitude to the attendees and all Kazakhstani people for their support of the Kazakh team. "This is the third time we have become the winners of the Asian Winter Games. Due to your belief in us we have reached this victory!" she noted.
In whole, each of the speakers spoke on success of Kazakhstan reached in 20 years of independence, the problems and the urgent issues the Kazakh society faces today.
Upon completion of the event, a resolution of the first Congress of Kazakhstan Women was adopted.