On Monday, January 20, the three-day seminar “Nagyz Aru – Real Woman” began at the Shchuchinsky trade union sanatorium in Akmola Region. Organized by the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan (FTURK) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the event brought together female workers from FTURK member organizations across all regions of Kazakhstan.
Opening the seminar, Gulnara Zhumageldieva, Vice Chair of FTURK, emphasized that this seminar was one of the first events dedicated to the Year of Working Professions. She introduced participants to FTURK’s key areas of activity, highlighting that ensuring social justice, including gender equality, is one of the Federation’s priorities.
“The goal of the trade union gender policy is to strengthen the position of working women, expand their rights and opportunities for career growth, provide professional training, and support a balance between work and family life. The FTURK General Council has adopted a Gender Policy Concept, which includes measures to improve labor and social legislation for working women. With the direct involvement of FTURK, Kazakhstan has ratified all fundamental ILO conventions, including Convention No. 183 on Maternity Protection, No. 156, No. 26, No. 95, and others. Currently, in cooperation with social partners, FTURK is working on promoting ILO Convention No. 190,” Zhumageldieva stated.
Sergejus Glovackas, Head of the Europe and Central Asia Department at ILO/ACTRAV, provided seminar participants with detailed insights into the importance of implementing ILO Conventions in the labor and social sectors.
“Kazakhstan remains an island of stability within the current geopolitical landscape of the post-Soviet space, particularly in terms of ratifying ILO Conventions. The Federation of Trade Unions and the ILO cooperate closely in the development and implementation of international labor standards. A vivid example of this collaboration is our seminar today. FTURK actively represents workers’ interests by participating in legislative processes, making such seminars crucial for developing recommendations alongside trade union activists,” said the international expert.
The first day of the seminar featured several panel discussions, conducted by experts from various fields.
Ainagul Bekebayeva, a neurodesigner and postdoctoral researcher at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, shared practical tips on using digital platforms and AI tools for both professional and everyday applications.
“By mastering AI tools, individuals can expand their professional capabilities in any field,” she recommended.
Meanwhile, Gulmayra Baymakova, a farmer from Akmola Region, shared her success story at the seminar.
She began with just half a hectare of land, growing melons and watermelons. Over time, she expanded her business, securing government grants and participating in various agricultural projects. This year, she harvested 45 tons of produce, including watermelons grown without chemicals, which she noted are far superior in taste to imported varieties. The high demand for her products serves as the best proof of their quality.
At the seminar, Baymakova introduced her original project, titled “A Taste of the Countryside in the City – A Cow on the Balcony.” The concept allows urban residents to purchase a cow while a rural farmer provides them with dairy products. The project has already been successfully implemented in Stepnogorsk.
The speaker emphasized that starting a business does not require large capital—determination and persistence are far more important. By sharing her personal experience, she helped seminar participants understand how to launch and grow a business with minimal initial investment.
The first day of the seminar concluded with a leadership masterclass for trade union representatives, conducted by Lyazzat Eszhanova, Deputy Director of FTURK’s Organizational and Control Department. Under her guidance, seminar participants thoroughly analyzed case studies on workplace relationships and conflict resolution.
“Understanding labor laws and strictly adhering to legal norms allows every worker to establish fair labor relations and, most importantly, to effectively protect their rights and interests,” Eszhanova noted.
The seminar will continue tomorrow with further thematic sessions, where participants will develop their own proposals for improving labor and social relations, with a focus on gender policy.
Media Center of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan