Guest Lecture: “Women of Ethnic Communities as Channels of Reproduction and Formation of Civic and Ethnic Identity”

On February 28, 2025, the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University hosted a guest lecture as part of the open session of the “Writing” research club for master’s and doctoral students. The event focused on the role of women in ethnic communities in transmitting cultural identity and civic values and ensuring social continuity.

The guest speaker was Dr. Elmira Otar — Ph.D. in Sociology, Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Head of the Consortium of Research Organizations in the Field of Family, Gender and Demographic Policy, graduate of the School of Analytics under the Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Project Leader of MNBO 2022–2024.

In her lecture, Dr. Elmira Otar emphasized the role of women as cultural mediators, agents of social transformation, and key figures in maintaining and reinterpreting ethnic traditions in modern contexts. She highlighted how women in ethnic communities actively contribute to the formation and reproduction of ethnic and civic identities, often becoming bridges between tradition and contemporary social structures.

The discussion was embedded in the broader framework of Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality, highlighting:

• The promotion of women as full participants in civic and political life;
• Inclusive policy-making that respects ethnocultural diversity;
• The importance of gender-sensitive academic research and grassroots initiatives aimed at justice and equity for minority women.

Dr. Elmira Otar also presented insights from fieldwork and case studies conducted in Kazakhstan, reflecting on the methodological and ethical aspects of researching gender and ethnicity in post-Soviet space.

The lecture sparked a strong interest among young researchers, especially those working on gender, identity, and public policy. Thoughtful questions were raised about community engagement, women’s leadership, and practical strategies for supporting inclusive development.

Organized by: Shedenova N.U., Akmadi M.A.