OSCE supports Rural Women’s Forum in Kazakhstan

The Rural Women’s Forum, organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan, took place in Nur-Sultan on 5 November 2021 in a blended format. The event was held in co-operation with the Coalition for Green Economy and G-Global Development, the National Commission for Women Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy under the President of Kazakhstan and the Coca Cola Foundation.

The Forum focused on promoting development of an inclusive and innovative green economy in rural areas and strengthening local governance. Some 250 representatives of national and municipal governments, development and financial institutions, international organizations and private associations discussed institutional aspects of doing business in the region and the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event also covered topics such as social and gender issues, ways to achieve Sustainable Development Goals-2030 and aspects of starting one’s own business as an option to solve social problems.

The forum, launched in 2018, is currently in its fourth consecutive year. It serves as a platform for female entrepreneurs in the rural areas of Kazakhstan to promote local businesses and focus on the application of green technologies.       

The event was part of the Programme Office’s continuous efforts to support gender mainstreaming and economic empowerment initiatives in the host country.