Strategic objectives of the women’s agenda

17,800 employees of the Samruk-Energo Groups, 4,619 are women, which is 26% of the total number. It may not be the highest level of female representation among manufacturing companies in Kazakhstan, but perhaps the most creative and proactive. This is how their production indicators, high involvement in the social life of society, and the presence of a genuine ideas, which has recently become for many the Women’s Club of Samruk-Energo JSC.

The Club was established in August 2024, in accordance with the UN Gender Equality Statement, which was signed on May 7, 2019. Just as the group of companies unites production facilities, the Women’s Club of Samruk-Energo JSC relies on clubs created in the group’s companies.

One of the most active is the AlES Women’s Club, which recently held its ninth meeting. In accordance with the established tradition, the ALES choose different locations for the meeting. This allows the members of the club to better understand the profile, and therefore the goals and objectives of each production asset. The September meeting was held at the CHPP-1 n.a.B.Orazbayev. Almost 70 people participated in it.

Madina Aisariyeva, Director of the Corporate Governance and Sustainable Development Department of Samruk-Energo JSC, made a presentation at the club meeting. She spoke about the strategic objectives of the women’s agenda, revealed the details of the project initiated in 2017 with the support of the EBRD and the London Consulting Agency “Ergon”. The project aims to expand equal opportunities for all employees.

In June 2018, in order to adapt the best international practices for promoting equal opportunities in the energy sector, AlES conducted a pilot project. The company was visited by the EBRD and Ergon agency team. Since that moment, the process of developing gender equality has been progressing steadily.

– In accordance with the decree of the head of state, we are now considering a strategy to increase the percentage of women in the group’s energy companies to 30%, – Madina Bekaidarovna said.

During the meeting, she reminded her colleagues about the seven principles of gender equality. Thus, among the most significant principles of gender equality are: equal career opportunities; equal pay for equal work; equal right to parental leave; women’s participation in government; equal potential opportunities for self-realization in any sphere of society; absence of professional discrimination; equal treatment of men and women in society.

Part of the agenda of the meeting of the AlES Women’s Club was devoted to the results of the I forum “Women in Power/Ayelder Kuaty/ Energya zhenchin”, which was recently held in the capital. He touched upon the topic “Women in the energy sector. Partnership, Progress, Prospects”, which is relevant for the Samruk-Energo Groups. At the meeting, Madina Aisariyeva announced the results of the forum in specific areas: “Women in energy”; “Movement towards changes in corporate culture” and “Prospects for the development of women in energy” – in fact, it was the roadmap of the Women’s Club.

Lyazzat Akhmurzina, Executive Director of the KAZENERGY Association, also took part in the meeting of the club. She oversees the organization of the activities of: the Coordinating Council for the Development of Human capital; the KAZENERGY Youth Committee and the Women’s Energy Club at the association, which was established in 2013 as the first in the industry. Its purpose was to provide a platform for discussion in companies, government agencies and with industry representatives on issues related to gender policy and practice, as well as to create a supportive professional network for women. The effectiveness of this work was assessed by a study entitled “The role of women in the energy sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan”, which was conducted jointly by KAZENERGY and the EBRD in 2019.

“This research has given us a deep understanding of current trends, challenges and opportunities for women in our industry,” Lyazzat Akhmurzina said. – It was attended by 35 companies with coverage of more than 55 thousand employees.

She also spoke about the meetings, forums, trainings and trainings. In particular, about the EMBA Program “Women’s Leadership in Energy”, implemented on the basis of the Atyrau University of Oil and Gas named after Safi Utebayev. The program aims to train future leaders by providing quality education and support for women in the energy sector. Since the start of the program, 16 people have graduated from it.

Lyazzat Akhmurzina also shared her experience of cooperation with international organizations, including the global initiative Women10X Pathfinder. One of the significant results of which was the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Association of Women in the Energy Sector of Kyrgyzstan. Lyazzat Akhmurzina is convinced that achieving 30% of women’s in leadership positions gives women a chance to be heard. Which in practice allows you to become business partners with men. Because “There is no balance in life, the main thing is an agreement with a partner!”

Zhibek Kurmangali, Head of the Personnel Training Department, told about the results of the work of the AlES Women’s Club at the meeting, inviting the participants to discuss the draft activity plan of the residential complex for the future. The women’s club of Almaty power engineers is still young. But a lot has already been done: the club has united about 300 participants. During this time, the share of women in the personnel reserve has reached 25%, and 25 promotions have been noted. Women have become more active in discussing the company’s current tasks, improve their competencies and develop creative abilities, and participate in social events.

In particular, the package of proposals includes measures such as the organization of psychological support for women. The introduction of separate clauses in the collective agreement for working mothers with disabled children, the development of individual development plans for the women’s pool, charity and environmental events, and others.

– Participation in the Women’s Club increases motivation, promotes self-esteem and self-realization, stimulates more active participation of women in the life of the company, – says Zhibek Kurmangali, Head of the Personnel Training Department. – And if we talk about the company as a whole, the active activity of the residential complex strengthens the image of the company as modern and socially responsible.

The participants of the club were also satisfied with the results of the meeting. Thus, Dina Abdimazhit noted the importance of the issues under discussion, expressing hope for further development of this topic. Galina Gorbovskaya, head of HD of CHPP-3, shared her personal experience and expectations from the upcoming events of the club, emphasizing the importance of supporting each other. Yulia Bayanova, a chemical analysis laboratory assistant of the 4th grade of the Chemical service of WHC, appreciated the opportunity to meet amazing women.

And Aisulu Irzhanova, Chief Specialist of the Department of Industrial Safety and Labor Protection, was impressed by the performance of Lyazzat Akhmurzina.

“I was struck by the rich experience of the Women’s Energy Club at the KAZENERGY Association and their achievements. I would like to wish our AlES Women’s Club the same heights and fulfillment of the planned Development Plan”, she shared. “Our beautiful women should feel that they are welcome at the club, that their problems will be heard and resolved in a warm, friendly atmosphere”.

Assel Glushko, a chemical analysis laboratory assistant of the 4th grade of the chemical service of the WHC, attended the meeting of the WC for the first time. “During the meeting, the participants could talk about their experiences, discuss and analyze life situations, and get useful recommendations”, she notes. – But most importantly, I realized that the meetings of the Women’s Club help to increase self-esteem, emotional mood, formation and development of useful attitudes. A friendly atmosphere, simple and free relationships are a pleasant and at the same time useful pastime”.

Irina Podskrebkina, a leading engineer for the design and estimate work of the Shop for the operation of buildings and hydraulic structures of the Kapshagayskaya HPP named after Sh.Shokin, continued the thoughts of her colleagues: “There are quite a lot of stresses in our lives, work, household chores, where you need to do everything on time, and also at the highest level. All this leads to the fact that quite often it is necessary to unload the brain with something. So, meetings at the Women’s Club of JSC AlES, the very reboot, a change of scenery, where you can discuss topics of interest, laugh, and share life experiences on any issues. In the process of discussing the problem, the participants also recall their personal life stories, which makes it even more exciting. After such meetings, you get charged with vital energy, get motivated, and move on with your life on a positive basis!”

Kanstansya Kaderbayeva, an engineer of the production and technical department of the A.Zhakutov CHP-2, appreciated the advice and the new flow of information, supported the ideas of further development and plans of the Women’s Club.

“But in general, the Women’s Club still has a lot to do for further development”, Galina Gorbovskaya said. For the guests, the meeting ended with a tour of the oldest CHP-1 in Kazakhstan, which will celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2025. And this, according to the reviews of the guests, left an indelible impression.