Intimate Partner Violence and the Culture of Shame in Kazakhstan: Voices of Survivors and Violence Against Women Professionals

This research uses in-depth interviews with 12 professionals and 12 survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) to shed light on the manifestations of IPV in Kazakhstan, where IPV is under-researched. Centered on the culturally specific concept of shame (uyat), the findings illuminate three themes: the prevalent forms of IPV; the impact of uyat on survivors' attitudes and responses to IPV; and survivors' interactions with law enforcement and professionals. The findings emphasize the urgency of confronting uyat and patriarchal norms, strengthening and enforcing laws against IPV, reinforcing support for survivors, and empowering women to advance Sustainable Development Goal 5.2.