Regions and Countries

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p. 4 of 20 BACK | NEXT I. Country Performance Assessment A. Economic Performance Assessment B. Pverty Assessment C. Assessment of Socio-Environmental Performance D. Governance E. Implementation Assessment II. Country Operational Strategy III. Sector Strategies IV. Regional Cooperation V. Donor Activities and Aid Coordination VI. Cofinancing and Catalyzing External Resources VII. ADB’s Operational Program VIII. Economic and Sector Work Program IX. Local Cost Financing

Country Assistance Plans - Kazakhstan : I. Country Performance Assessment

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C. Assessment of Socio- Environmental Performance

1. Gender Issues

9. The economic difficulties after 1991 have reversed some of the accomplishments of the Soviet system on gender issues. The former Soviet Union (FSU) provided protection against gender discrimination. Gender equality of admittance to schools was apparent, female employment was considerable, and substantial benefits were provided for women. Some of these achievements are in jeopardy due to the economic constraints during the past years. Unemployment among women is disproportionately high and those women being still employed earn average wages that are equivalent to only three-quarters of men’s. Single mothers and families with many children, especially in rural areas and small towns, are most affected by the decline in incomes, the cut in social spending, and the deterioration of basic social services and assistance. Women are also suffering from the worsening health system, especially with reference to birth control and environmental degradation such as contaminated drinking water and deteriorating hygienic conditions.

10. The economic hardship has also led to the problem of child labor. A report¹ prepared by the International Labor Organization in 1997 showed that child labor did exist, particularly in the rural areas, although the extent of the problem nationwide remained unanswered due to the lack of comprehensive data. Children work primarily to support their families and the work of children is often detrimental to their health and development. The Government has taken initial action to tackle the problem of child labor. The Constitution, adopted in 1995, includes a provision that children shall be under the protection of the State. The Labor Code has been revised to set maximum hours of work for those under 18 years of age. With assistance from ADB and the United Nations, the Government has been implementing a number of projects to improve education services so as to attract children in schools. As the economic situation improves, it is expected that the Government will enhance its efforts to develop assistance programs directly targeted to the needs of the working child.

2. Human Development

11. The standards in human development, which were favorably comparable with those of other countries with similar per capita GDP before independence, have deteriorated because of the persistent economic difficulties. The 1999 Kazakhstan Human Development Report showed a fall in the Human Development Index between 1991 and 1995, and a slight recovery thereafter. This resulted from the declines in incomes and life expectancy, as well as the rise in age-specific mortality rates. Using internationally comparable standards, the 1999 UNDP Human Development Report ranked Kazakhstan 76th among 174 countries, compared to a rank of 54th in 1990. Detailed social indicators are given in Appendix 1.

12. Concerted efforts are needed to promote human development in three areas. First, the Government needs to facilitate equitable long-term economic growth, which will generate more income and government revenues needed to finance social services and assistance. Second, public administration and expenditure management must be improved to ensure the maximum impact of the Government’s social spending. Third, nongovernment organizations (NGOs) should be encouraged to identify and assist the targeted groups, and the private sector should be permitted to provide social services and social assistance. These efforts should be complemented by continued reforms in the education and health sectors to deliver these services more efficiently, and to strengthen the social security system so as to provide incentives for self-employment and job training.

3. Environment

13. Kazakhstan faces major environmental problems as a result of the policies adopted during the Soviet period, which failed to account of the cost of land, water, and air degradation, and led to an overuse of natural resources. Centrally planned irrigation practices, associated with extensive crop production schemes and excessive use of chemical fertilizers, have caused soil erosion and salinization over wide tracts of arable land. Massive chemical and industrial complexes have polluted the air, soil, and water. The desiccation of the Aral Sea, the rise in the level of the Caspian Sea, and massive desertification are urgent concerns. Other environmental concerns include air pollution from coal-burning power plants, losses of grain as a result of locust swarms, lack of forest cover or vegetation, hazardous wastes, and biodiversity. Some environmental indicators are given in Appendix 1.

14. With assistance from the World Bank and UNDP, the Government has prepared a National Environmental Strategy aimed at reducing environmental pollution and natural resource degradation. In 1998 the Government also developed a National Environmental Action Plan, which proposes a number of priority policy reforms and investment projects to address the urgent environmental concerns. The major policy issues proposed include environmental legislation and regulation, environmental management, promotion of cleaner technology, human resources development, and capacity building for monitoring and enforcement. However, weak institutional capacity and shortage of financial resources have limited the effective implementation of the National Environmental Action Plan.

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