The deputies of the Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan discussed the problem of human trafficking at a meeting held on May 23, 2023.

During the meeting the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Legislation, Judiciary and Law Enforcement, Andrey Lukin, noted that the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pays close attention to combating human trafficking. During the meeting senators also noted gaps in existing legislation.

We are happy to share important news with you! NGO "Sana Sezim" is a member of the Coalition of NGOs of independent countries "Migration and Development". Our goal is to establish partnerships and create effective mechanisms to support migrants and their families.

In the framework of this cooperation a series of webinars are planned which is on migration issues for specialists of public and state organizations, as well as for all those who provide support and services to migrants and their families, including minor children. This will be a great opportunity to share experiences and expand knowledge.

On May 17-18, 2023 within the framework of the “Safe Migration in Central Asia (SMICA)” project a working group met in Almaty. The event brought together researchers, university workers, and representatives of nongovernmental organizations that work on climate change, migration, and anti-trafficking issues.

At the meeting, participants discussed the role of climate change in increasing migration and the risks of human trafficking. There were also reports and presentations on climate risks in the region, with a special focus on a project to reduce vulnerability to human trafficking caused by climate change. The event produced a working group strategy and plan for future action.

On May 12, 2023 diplomats of the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Republic of Kazakhstan met with representatives of NGO "Sana Sezim" and NGO "Rodnik" to discuss important issues of assistance to citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In addition, perspective plans and prospects for further cooperation and collaboration within the framework of cooperation were discussed.

We are sure that thanks to such cooperation we can solve many important tasks and provide support to people who need help. We thank the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Republic of Kazakhstan for cooperation and for the warm welcome.

On May 11, 2023 at the forum on combating trafficking in persons, the draft law "On Trafficking in Persons," developed on behalf of President Tokayev, was presented. This draft law consists of 6 chapters and 22 articles, includes a new conceptual apparatus based on international experience and obligations, clearly defines authorized state bodies, the role of NGOs and the rights of victims, including minors.

On April 27, 2023 within the framework of the project "Together against human trafficking through capacity building of CSOs!" employees of NGO "Sana Sezim" conducted an information campaign on the problem of human trafficking on the Arbat of Shymkent city.

Brochures and booklets with information about which organizations help victims of human trafficking and where to get qualified help were distributed among guests and the population of Shymkent city. Thus, the campaign helped to expand the information field on the problem of human trafficking and raise public awareness about it.

We are happy to announce the launch of a new project "Empowering women in the context of migration to participate in the labor market", which is being implemented in Shymkent city and Turkestan region with the support of the International Organization for Migration.

The project aims to help 25 women affected by migration who will receive counseling and support from a social worker and 5 women affected by migration who will receive grants to start a business (kandastar, migrants with residence permits, internal migrants).

The project will be implemented between 10.04.2023 and 10.02.2024.

On April 13-14, 2023in Almaty series of events dedicated to modern teaching methods and the introduction of information technology in children's education was held.

On the first day, the seminar "UNICEF Global Day in IITU Social Equity and Inclusion" was organized by the International University of Information Technologies together with the UN Children's Fund UNICEF. During the event, participants discussed how technology can be used to improve social equity and inclusive education. Specific cases and examples of projects to put these ideas into practice were considered.

On April 12, 2023,the regional project "Assisting Central Asian Governments in Implementing the Global Compact on Migration (GCM)" was officially launched. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of the Governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as well as relevant stakeholders in the region to implement and review the achievement of the objectives of the Global Compact in accordance with its guiding principles.

It also aims to further strengthen international cooperation on migration issues in Central Asia and to assist the governments of the region and relevant stakeholders in engaging in high-level forums where migration can be promoted as an enabler and accelerator of development.

On April 12, 2023the Polytechnic College held a legal meeting on "Knowing the law is the need of the hour".

Employees of NGO "Sana Sezim", Unit for the Protection of Women from Violence of Karatau district, the Juvenile Inspection of Al-Farabi district and the Department for Combating Drug Crimes of Shymkent PD took part in the event. They shared their knowledge and experience, talked about their work and how it is important to know the law in order to protect own selves and loved ones. Issues of domestic violence, protection of minors, combating drug-related crime and human trafficking were discussed.