Nazarbayev says to “be careful” with gender equality

    By Renat Tashkinbayev
    While speaking on Kazakhstan's gender equality policies, President Nazarbayev said he was supportive of female managers but explained that gender equality should not become an obsession, Tengrinews.kz reports.
    “I have been working for a long time, and I can say that one can rest assured that when appointing a woman to a managerial position: women are always responsible, they won't let you down, won't lose themselves in drinking and won't take bribes. They are better than men. This is why women are not normally allowed to take managerial positions (by men), because their superiority becomes too obvious,” the president said 'jokingly' (original - KNL) at a meeting with women on the eve of the International Women's Day.
    The President said that Kazakhstan is ranked 31^st out of 135 countries in the global gender equality rating. He added it will soon become one of the top 30 countries with the most gender equality.
    “But the provision of equal rights should not become an obsession! Everyone has rights - that is out of question. But it is often the case that when women are offered to do something (which is not traditionally women's work) they say: 'No, we cannot do that'," Nazarbayev said.
    He pointed out that women showed better results in the most recent tests of law-enforcement officers. “The men wearing the shoulder straps thought they were the most important, the big chiefs. But it turned out that women were the best,” the President said.
    He said there are currently around 55 percent of women in public administration. This is around 50 thousand people. 260 women are Akims (Mayors) of cities, villages and regions.
    “A modern woman must be able to do many things at the same time: housework, plan a budget, raise children, remain beautiful and work, as well as to inspire men. This is why I understand that your job is very important," the president said.
    "We often do not realize that men and women have different psychology. But all Kazakhstan's citizens should remember that women are the best half of our nation: they are hard-working, beautiful mothers, sisters and daughters. We wish they get the very best in their lives,” Nursultan Nazarbayev said, www.tengrinews.kz said.