Аннотация
The article explores the theoretical, methodological, and practical aspects of women's participation in the governance processes within the public administration system of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It analyzes key trends over the period from 2010 to 2025, identifying the main barriers that hinder women's career advancement and their access to senior leadership positions. Particular attention is given to assessing the qualitative dimension of women’s involvement through the use of the Women’s Leadership Effectiveness Index, which allows for evaluating not only quantitative participation indicators but also the impact of women on the quality of managerial decision-making. The analysis reveals that despite a relatively high representation of women in linear and support-level positions, their actual involvement in strategic management remains limited. The article emphasizes the need to move beyond a formal approach to gender balance and instead focus on creating an environment that enhances the effectiveness of female leadership. As a novel contribution and a recommendation for strengthening institutional mechanisms that support women in leadership, the article proposes the implementation of the “Gender Labs” model within government bodies. This model is designed to systematically promote women’s integration into management processes. By combining analytical tools with institutional measures, this approach enables more effective identification of barriers and the development of strategies to overcome them. Keywords: women's leadership, public administration, effectiveness, gender policy, Kazakhstan, discrimination