Kazakh men are not sufficiently involved in childcare and household chores. According to the research, the daily care of children in families most often (69%) falls on the shoulders of women. At the same time, only one in four families share these responsibilities equally. Moreover, women tend to engage in household activities more than their spouses.
These and other research findings on men's involvement in family life were presented at the 6th Republican Fathers’ Forum. The event, organized with the technical and financial support of UNFPA in Kazakhstan, was attended by representatives of ministries and government agencies, MPs, specialists of the UN Population Fund in Kazakhstan, NGOs, public figures, and journalists. Participants talked about the most important aspects of supporting and developing the institution of fatherhood in Kazakhstan: issues of responsible parenting, the role of spiritual and religious leaders in promotion of family values, and also touched upon the topic of preventing domestic violence.
“Gender equality means that women and men, girls and boys have equal influence, rights, responsibilities and opportunities in all areas of life. Men's engagement has a huge positive impact on the lives of women and girls," said Raimbek Sisemaliyev, Assistant Representative of the United Nations Population Fund in Kazakhstan, in his welcoming speech.
In turn, Gaziza Moldakulova, coordinator of the national programmes of the United Nations Population Fund, noted the importance of collaboration with religious leaders in the prevention of gender-based violence.
“Men must be involved at all levels of society, from the individual to the institutional and systemic level. The involvement of community, religious and political leaders, most of whom are still men, is also important here. The well-being of families is a key factor for the prosperity of society as a whole,” said Gaziza Moldakulova.
This year for the first time in Kazakhstan, a national sociological survey “The role of men, their degree of involvement in family life and raising children in Kazakhstan” was conducted. To determine men's attitudes towards gender equality issues, their involvement in parenting and childcare and family support, 1,100 men were interviewed, including 100 single fathers, and 1,000 women.
