Around 90 representatives from government, business, trade unions, civil society, academia and international organizations came together through a series of intersectoral consultations to discuss how family-friendly workplace policies can be strengthened in Kazakhstan.

The consultations introduced stakeholders to international good practices and practical mechanisms for introducing family-friendly policies, including measures that can help employees better balance work and family responsibilities.

While interest in family-friendly workplace practices is growing in Kazakhstan, implementation remains fragmented, with no comprehensive framework or coordinated mechanism for scaling up successful approaches. The consultations provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange experience, build a common understanding and identify practical pathways for action.

The discussions also helped clarify the respective roles of government, employers and trade unions in creating more supportive workplaces and strengthened the foundation for future cooperation across sectors.

The consultations brought together approximately 90 key stakeholders and included representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Ministry of Culture and Information, Ministry of Higher Education and Science, Academy of Public Administration, Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan, private sector companies, civil society and academic institutions, as well as UNFPA colleagues from Belarus and the UNFPA Regional Office.