Abstract This article examines state-initiated civic participation in Central Asia through the case of Public Councils ( PC s) in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Drawing on qualitative data from focus groups and expert interviews conducted in 2024–2025, the study explores how PC s operate as induced participatory institutions under centralized and hybrid governance conditions. The findings show that, despite similar legal foundations, PC s across the region remain structurally constrained by low levels of empowerment, limited independence, and co-optation. Additionally, the study identifies instances of issue-specific and conditional effectiveness, where councils achieved tangible outcomes within narrowly defined policy domains, particularly when supported by expert input, public resonance, or state cooperation. These outcomes highlight the contextual value and limitations of induced participation in politically constrained environments. The article contributes to debates on participatory governance by refining the induced participation framework and providing new empirical insights from the underexplored Central Asian context.
Abstract In this article, we explore body image in contemporary Kazakhstan by analytically situating it at the intersection of post-socialist neoliberal transformation and retraditionalized gender regimes. Drawing on feminist body scholarship, we examine how women negotiate ethnic and gender identities through everyday beauty practices of aesthetic labor. Analyzing women’s narratives through reflexive thematic analysis approach, we understood body image as a moral field in which bodies are judged for propriety, ethnic legitimacy, and feminine authenticity. We show, first, that participants experience gendered surveillance and expectations of “proper” womanhood; second, that these moral demands frame women’s bodies as sites of failure, prompting strategies of aesthetic labor—minimizing visibility and selectively asserting presence to reclaim autonomy; and third, that women critically reflect on these contradictions and reimagine femininities that decenter physical appearance. We argue, ultimately, that body image can function as a political mechanism regulating women’s entitlement to visibility, participation, and belonging.
Abstract This article examines why individuals in Kazakhstan continue gambling despite mounting financial losses and growing personal crises. Drawing on qualitative interviews with gamblers and gambling hall staff, it argues that gambling persistence is embedded in a moral economy of debt, in which financial obligations become intertwined with family responsibility, social expectations, and concerns about dignity and shame. Rather than challenging psychological explanations of gambling addiction, the study complements them by demonstrating how debt transforms gambling into a socially meaningful practice tied to obligations of provision and moral accountability. As losses accumulate, gamblers frequently perceive continued gambling as the only possible means of recovering lost money, restoring damaged identities, and avoiding shame before family members and creditors. The findings show that gambling-related debt reshapes household relationships, intensifies secrecy and conflict, and generates competing narratives of responsibility, blame, and justification. By conceptualising debt as a moral and relational force rather than merely a financial condition, the article contributes to sociological understandings of gambling addiction and demonstrates how financial risk, social obligations, and identity interact to sustain the practice of “chasing losses” in post-socialist Kazakhstan.
Abstract In recent years, violence against women ( VAW ) has emerged as a critical issue in digital public discourse in Tajikistan, driven by a combination of high-profile cases of femicide, domestic violence, and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence ( SGBV ). This discourse took shape through media coverage of cases of VAW and SGBV , as well as public commentary on social networks popular in Tajikistan (such as Facebook and Instagram). Given the level of engagement and commentary by the Tajikistani people on this issue, it is evident that VAW and SGBV is a sensitive and relevant social issue in the country. Despite legal reforms aimed at addressing gender-based violence, including the Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence passed in Tajikistan in 2013, enforcement remains weak, and cultural stigmas and lack of legal and social protection often prevent victims from seeking help. The law does not criminalize domestic violence, and other forms of GBV are not defined in the Administrative and Criminal Codes of Tajikistan. According to the UN, it is estimated that 80% of women have experienced some form of domestic violence in their lives. This estimate is likely to be higher as it does not count other forms of GBV (like street harassment, violence at workplace, etc.) and many cases go unreported due to fear, social shame, and inadequate support systems. At the same time, the media plays a pivotal role in either reinforcing or challenging social and gender norms regarding violence against women. While some media outlets have begun addressing the issue by raising awareness, others continue to perpetuate harmful stereotypes that justify or normalize violence. In Tajikistan, state-controlled media often downplays gender-based violence or reinforces victim-blaming narratives, framing it as a private matter rather than a public concern, which limits the potential for broader social change. The rise of social media networks and some independent media platforms has offered new opportunities for addressing these issues, though such platforms are often subject to censorship or government oversight. This research seeks to examine how the Tajikistani media portrays violence against women and how these portrayals shape public tolerance and societal responses to the issue. Understanding the media landscape in this context is essential, as public perceptions of violence against women are closely intertwined with how such incidents are reported and discussed. This study will contribute to the ongoing dialogue about gender-based violence in Central Asia by offering insights into how media narratives can either sustain harmful gender dynamics or serve as a catalyst for change.
Abstract This paper examined the justification of patriarchal views in Kazakhstani media, focusing on domestic violence narratives that exonerate male perpetrators. Grounded in framing theory, the study analyzed articles from Turkystan, Aiqyn, Tengrinews, and Orda, revealing patterns of victim-blaming, episodic framing, and normalization of violence. Media narratives often depict femicide as isolated incidents, emphasizing law enforcement responses while overlooking broader socio-cultural factors. Sensationalist language and romanticized portrayals of perpetrators further reinforce patriarchal norms. These findings highlight the media’s role in shaping public perceptions and socio-political responses, perpetuating narratives that obscure the systemic nature of violence against women. This study contributes to understanding the intersection of media, gender, and societal norms, emphasizing the need for more responsible reporting practices.
