Feminita Co-Founder Says Her TEDxKIMEP Talk Was Canceled After Outside Pressure

Zhanar Sekerbayeva, co-founder of the human rights group Feminita, says her scheduled TEDxKIMEP presentation in Almaty was canceled just hours before she was set to take the stage.

The activist believes the decision was made after a “call from the akim's office,” Orda.kz reports.

Sekerbayeva was expected to speak on November 26 at 17:35, presenting “Women at the Crossroads of the Future: Leading the Way for Change.” Instead, she was informed by the TEDxKIMEP president shortly before the event that her talk had been removed from the program.

Official Explanation

Organizers said the university stepped in to block the appearance:

Unfortunately, following consultations, it has been decided that your presentation cannot be included in the program. The Dean's Office has officially informed us that your chosen topic touches on issues that are currently subject to university policy restrictions.

Sekerbayeva calls it censorship

The activist argues the cancellation is discriminatory and politically motivated, noting that the event had already publicly confirmed her participation.

Sekerbayeva links the situation to mounting pressure on Feminita and to ongoing legislative initiatives aimed at restricting LGBTQ+ rights in Kazakhstan.

Orda.kz has reached out to the Almaty akimat for comment, but has not yet received a response.

Original Author: Nurtore Jumagyl