The opening ceremony of the national forum entitled “Women and Religion” was held at the assembly hall of S. Toraighyrov PSU on September 17, 2013. It was attended by the representatives from the Agency for Religious Affairs, National Commission for Women Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, regional administration, and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The purpose of the forum is creating a discussion platform for consideration of various aspects of relations between religion and women in the context of the social and political sciences.

According to the Akim of the region Yerlan Aryn, this problem is extremely important, because it is religion that forms stable values of people. “The true religion is never wrong as it emphasizes the importance of such concepts as home and family”, said Yerlan Aryn.

The Rector of S. Toraighyrov PSU, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Serik Omirbayev noted the significance of hosting the Women and Religion forum for PSU and expressed the hope that it will have a symbolic and historic importance for our state.

The Chairperson of the National Commission for Women Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Gulshara Abdykalykova emphasized that all conditions have been created in our country for women to live normal lives realizing their full potential and noted the special role of mothers in educating the younger generation.

The reports on the status of women in modern society and implementation of the equal rights principles were heard at the plenary session.

At the end of the forum, the Kyz Zhibek club of the University was presented. Its purpose is to teach national traditions and worldviews to girls.

In future, it is planned to open a school of indigenous education which will become a platform for meetings and communication between the elder and younger generations.