The Kazakh Senate approved amendments to the law on women's rights and child safety in two readings on April 11. The aim of the law is to enhance the legal, economic, social, institutional, and organizational foundations of the state policy regarding women's rights and child safety.
Among the main objectives of the law are the criminalization of beatings and intentional infliction of minor harm by transferring them from the Administrative Code to the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan, as well as tightening the responsibility by excluding the punishment of restriction of freedom for intentional infliction of serious or moderate harm to health.
Furthermore, the law excludes the possibility of reconciliation between parties for crimes related to physical violence and cruel treatment of minors. It also establishes life imprisonment for the murder of a minor, rape of a minor, and violent sexual acts towards a minor, without alternative punishment measures. The law also criminalizes sexual harassment of individuals under the age of 16 by introducing a new article into the Criminal Code.
Other amendments include expanding the foundations of family law with new principles such as strengthening and promoting traditional family values, as well as enhancing the competence of local representative and executive bodies in strengthening the institution of marriage and family, providing socio-economic support, identifying and organizing comprehensive support for individuals (families) in difficult life situations.
Overall, the law entails amendments to 15 legislative acts, including seven codes and eight laws. The expected outcomes of the law include strengthening the protection of women's rights and child safety, enhancing protection of children from sexual violence, reducing cases of suicide and sexual harassment, improving conditions for families in difficult life situations, enhancing the quality of special social services, and strengthening the institution of marriage and family.
It is worth noting that a large group of experts, the National Commission for Women's Rights, authorized representatives for children's rights, government agencies, and lawyers worked on the draft law. In February, the document was approved by the deputies of the Mazhilis.
