Evidence shows that gender diversity on boards and in senior leadership can help companies in several ways, from improved financial performance and shareholder value to better decision-making process, providing an opportunity to transform local and global markets. This study examines 77 percent of all joint-stock companies in Kazakhstan, determining a clear correlation between gender diversity and financial and non-financial performance. The country has made significant progress in promoting gender equality and protecting the rights of women over the last decade. In 2019, around 50 percent of local joint stock companies had at least one woman on their boards, targeting to achieve 25 percent women representation at the decision-making level by 2023. However, gender inequalities, including societal stereotypes and wage gap, still persist. To address the challenge, the report highlights opportunities to increase the number of women in Kazakhstan’s boardrooms and proposes recommendations for boards, companies, and policymakers on how to achieve greater gender diversity.
