Kazakhstan released its second periodic report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on 16 January 2007. The Chairperson of the National Commission on Family Affairs and Gender Policy in Kazakhstan, Aitkul Samakova, said that the 2006-2016 Strategy for Gender Equality in Kazakhstan has played a key role in ensuring equal rights and opoportunities for people in Kazakhstan. A 2006-2008 implementation plan outlined numerous measures to improve women's health and to foster their political and economic growth. It supported combating violence against women, and a draft law on domestic violence will be sent to the Government of Kazakhstan this year. Additionally, more crisis centers have been established for women and children victims of domestic violence. There is also a 2006-2008 Action Plan to Prevent Trafficking, as Kazakhstan is known to be a source, transit and destination country for trafficking in women.
Compiled from: www.wurn.com, 16 January 2007. For more information see http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/wom1590.doc.htm.