Kazakhstan plans to crack down on bride kidnapping, a troubling practice where women are seized and pressured into marriage, a lawmaker confirmed to AFP on Thursday. The impending reforms aim to curb a custom long criticized as both outdated and harmful, signaling a shift in the country’s approach to women’s rights.
While strides have been made in advancing women’s rights, the troubling tradition of bride kidnapping continues to rise in Kazakhstan, according to officials. Rights groups have condemned the practice as a significant setback, highlighting the urgent need for more effective interventions.
“Unfortunately, cases of bride kidnapping are increasing,” lawmaker Murat Abenov told AFP in an interview.
Seeking to put an end to the practice of bride kidnapping, he unveiled a bill in parliament on Wednesday. With the endorsement of chairman Yerlan Koshanov, the proposal is gaining traction as a bold step toward reform.
Describing bride kidnapping as a “growing disease” and “one of the most pressing issues” in Kazakhstan, ruling party lawmaker Yerlan Koshanov condemned the practice in remarks reported by local media. His statement reflects mounting concern over the persistence of this troubling tradition.
Abenov told AFP that “only a small number of cases are brought to court”, since the existing legal framework “does not provide for an adequate and effective response to bride kidnapping”.
Kazakh authorities admit there are no reliable statistics on how prevalent bride kidnapping is.
In the southern Turkestan region there have been 18 cases this year, Abenov said.
The issue of women’s rights shot up the agenda in Kazakhstan last year when a former lawmaker murdered his wife.
The case shocked Kazakh society, prompting President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to pass several laws to strengthen protections for women.
Earlier this year, Tokayev said some people “hiding behind so-called tradition, are trying to impose the practice of bride kidnapping” — saying it “cannot be justified”.
