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Intersection of Religious, Ethnic and Gender Identities in Central Asian Countries: Theoretical Framework and Practical Conflicts
Dinara Osmonova, Batmakhan Koshbakova, Klara Alimova, Saikal Orozovna and Aidai Kozubaeva
Published: 2026/06/01
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop and verify an integrated model for analysing how religious, ethnic, and gender identities intersect and generate social conflicts in Central Asian countries. The study employed qualitative coding, frequency analysis, and statistical testing of census data, official statistics, international reports, and academic publications from 2010 to 2025. The reported percentages refer to aggregated demographic, social, and textual indicators derived from these sources, including religious participation rates, coded thematic intersections, and education and employment statistics. The results obtained show a gender difference in regular participation in religious practices in the Kyrgyz Republic (women – 70%, men – 50%). In all three countries (Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan), a substantial portion of the population belongs to ethnic minorities. Qualitative coding of academic, official, and media texts revealed consistent intersections between the themes of “law”, “tradition”, “religious practice” and “gender roles”: at least two categories are present simultaneously in 38% of cases; in materials about ala-kachuu (bride capture), 55% of mentions combine legal and traditional frameworks, with a religious component added in another 27%. Frequency analysis revealed a difference between the language used in official documents and research texts: the former predominantly use formulas of equal rights, freedom of conscience and gender equality (approximately 210, 183 and 127 mentions), while the latter use lexemes of control, restrictions and vulnerability (approximately 96, 87 and 73 mentions). Statistical verification established differences between women and men in terms of completed higher education (range 15-34%). The results demonstrate that conflicts in the legal, educational, labour and public spheres arise at the points where gender, ethnic and religious parameters overlap.
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