Kazakhstan's women redefine roles in civil protection and emergency services

Women in Kazakhstan are taking on more roles in the country's civil protection system. Their contributions span firefighting, rescue operations, psychology, and emergency dispatch. Many have spent decades climbing the ranks, proving their expertise in high-pressure fields.

International Women's Day on 8 March highlights these achievements. While global data shows women still have fewer legal rights than men, Kazakhstan's emergency services demonstrate steady progress in gender representation. Karlygash Akhmetbekova's career in civil protection stretches over 30 years. She started as a dispatcher before rising to chief specialist in the Zhambyl Region. Now a colonel, her long service reflects the growing influence of women in the sector.

In the East Kazakhstan Region, Oksana Petrova has worked for 15 years as a psychologist in the emergency rescue unit. Before joining, she worked as a nurse and earned a psychology degree. Her dual background helps support both responders and survivors in crises.

Gulpatsha Rysaldieva's path began as a paramedic before she transitioned into dispatch work. Now with the Emergency Medicine Center, she coordinates critical responses daily. Her shift from hands-on care to logistics shows the diverse roles women hold.

Sholpan Kasenova oversees safety in the Kostanai Region's chemical and petrochemical industries. As a department head, she ensures compliance with state safety regulations. Her position is one of many where women lead technical and high-responsibility teams.

Across Kazakhstan, women now serve as firefighters, rescuers, and specialists in emergency units. While exact regional leadership figures remain unreleased by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, their presence is undeniable. The system increasingly relies on their skills at every level. Kazakhstan's civil protection services now include women in roles once dominated by men. From frontline rescue to managerial oversight, their work strengthens emergency responses nationwide. As global discussions on gender equality continue, their expanding roles offer a clear example of progress in action.