Kazakhstan

As a middle-income nation, Kazakhstan has enjoyed impressive economic growth in the past several years, fuelled by its many oil and gas industries. In response to this, Kazakhstan has witnessed surprising shifts in the distribution of income towards the poor. However, poverty remains a problem in the country, and further diversification of the economy is needed to continue reducing poverty in the region.

While the number of those living in complete poverty has decreased, 47% of the population is still considered low-income, living on about US $70 a month. The question posed is whether those living in this bracket are going to move up, or fall back into abject poverty. Recent economic growth could have had a greater effect on improving living conditions, but unemployment and low income remain the main causes of poverty in this region. It is ironic that in some of the most oil-rich and producing regions live some of the poorest in the country. Kazakhstan needs to further broaden its economy, so that the wealth that the country is experiencing is more evenly distributed. The country has made significant progress in raising people out of complete poverty, but it needs to keep poverty high on the national agenda of priorities.

Kazakhstan is the leader for women’s rights in Central Asia. The 1995 constitution defends women's rights by guaranteeing citizens the right to work and forbidding discrimination based on geographic origin, gender, race, nationality, religion, political belief or language. Although there is currently no definition of discrimination, the Kazakh government is apparently drafting a law on equal opportunities, which addresses equality in employment, education and political representation. However, with the collapse of the Soviet Union and Kazakh independence in 1991 came the loss of many social services, especially those benefiting working women. With the loss of Russian subsidies, women’s salaries declined in comparison to men’s, and women were the last hired and the first fired.

Domestic violence remains a serious problem in Kazakhstan. In its 2003 Country Human Rights Report, the U.S. Department of State cited a Ministry of Interior study that found that fifty-two percent of women had reported domestic violence, but only thirty percent of the cases were prosecuted. The government has declared the fight against domestic violence a domestic priority, however currently there are no laws specifically criminalizing domestic violence.

The government in Kazakhstan has been accused of dealing harshly with political opposition groups, as well as independent media. Politically motivated lawsuits are used to silence anyone who insults the “honor and dignity” of the president, legislators, or other authorities. The law in Kazakhstan does not require that offending statements be false in order to trigger heavy penalties. The government also continues to limit access to opposition and independent Internet sites.

In a country of almost 15.5 million people, about 16,500 people are living with HIV/AIDS. Kazakhstan, being located in the main route for drug trafficking in the region, supports the annual increase of drug users. As a result, 80% of those diagnosed with HIV are injecting drug users, while 12.5% of HIV cases are transmitted through sexual contact. The majority of those infected, 54.3%, are aged 20-29.

The Kazakhstan government is making efforts to restrain this epidemic, integrating the fight against HIV/AIDS into its national strategic development plan up to 2010. However, studies show that a great majority of injecting drug users are aware of protective measures, but continue unsafe injecting drug use and having unsafe casual sex with multiple partners.

Radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with its former defense industries and test ranges are found throughout the country and pose health risks for humans and animals. As the site of the former Soviet Union's nuclear testing programs, areas of the nation have been exposed to high levels of nuclear radiation, and there is significant radioactive pollution. The nation also has 30 uranium mines, which add to the problem of uncontrolled release of radioactivity. Kazakhstan has sought international support to convince China to stop testing atomic bombs near its territory, because of the dangerous fallout.

Industrial pollution is severe in some cities. Acid rain damages the environment within the country and affects neighboring countries. In 1992, Kazakhstan had the world's 14th highest level of industrial carbon dioxide emissions, which totaled 297.9 million metric tons, a per capita level of 17.48 metric tons. In 1996, the total had dropped to 173.8 million metric tons. Because the two main rivers that flowed into the Aral Sea would have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural salts, which are then picked up by the wind and blown into noxious dust storms. There is also soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salinization from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practices.

Kazakhstan has a very high literacy rate, 98% and universal, and education is mandatory up to secondary school. Education is free and state-funded, and Kazakhstan boasts 55 institutions of higher education as well as 3 universities. Russian is the most commonly taught language, however Kazakh, which is the official state language, is gaining popularity and is being extended to all areas.

ACDI/VOCA - We are a private, nonprofit organization that promotes broad-based economic growth and the development of civil society in emerging democracies and developing countries. Offering a comprehensive range of technical assistance services, ACDI/VOCA addresses the most pressing and intractable development problems.

Children’s Hope International - Our work with children at risk began in 1992 as Children's Hope International adoption agency. While finding a family for every child remains the mission of Children's Hope International, its humanitarian aid programs are designed to specifically deal with the many needs of those children left behind. Through our experience worldwide, we have seen such children's needs firsthand and our souls have been deeply touched.

Project HOPE - Health Opportunities for People Everywhere (HOPE) strives to achieve sustainable advances in health care around the world by implementing health education programs, conducting health policy research, and providing humanitarian assistance in areas of need. Since 1991, Project HOPE has delivered more than $320 million worth of humanitarian medical assistance to former Soviet Republics.

Project Smile - Project Smile is an orphanage assistance project created by a US Peace Corps Volunteer. Our goal is to put smiles on the faces of 280 orphans living in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. We are looking for sponsors who are willing to send us material donations.

Soros Foundation Kazakhstan - The main goal for the SFK is the creation and development of an open democratic society in Kazakhstan. The majority of the SFK activity is seen in the sphere of education, culture, law, civil society, medical care, and other humanitarian departments.

A.C.O.R.N. Inc. - The Abandoned Child and Orphans Resource Network (A.C.O.R.N.) is a non-profit organization founded under Project Smile. We are constantly looking for sponsors who are willing to make a difference in the lives of orphans living in Kazakhstan.

Alliance for International Women’s Rights - Many people would like to volunteer internationally, but they do not have the time or funds to travel to another country for several weeks or months. However, through our Armchair Volunteer Program, you can be a volunteer from the comfort of your own home.

Student World Assembly - Promoting Global Democracy, one student at a time! We are looking for volunteers with a strong interest in Global Democracy and Human Rights for research schools in their area and recruit members for the organization.