In Kazakhstan, mothers are treated like heros

ALMATY, Kazakhstan — Ulzhalgas Umbetzhanova is a gold medalist from Kazakhstan. Her achievement? Boosting the country’s population by giving birth to nine children. The Kazakh government has rewarded her feat by bestowing her with a gold medal and the title “Mother Heroine.”

The medals were introduced by the Kazakh government in 1995, following in the steps of the Soviet Union, to help Kazakhstan promote population growth. Despite being the ninth largest country in the world, only 20 million people live in Kazakhstan.

“I have nine children, and from them, I have 27 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren,” Umbetzhanova said. “Our family is big and full of love, and I am proud of each and every one of them.”

A “Hero Mother” receives either a silver or gold medal, and each comes with benefits. The silver medal, called the Kumis Alka, is awarded to mothers who birth and raise six or more children. The gold medal is the Altyn Alka, awarded to mothers with seven or more children.

The medals entitle Hero Mothers to a monthly allowance for the remainder of their lives. In addition, Altyn Alka recipients do not need to pay taxes on a variety of goods, including vehicles, land and property.

“The medals brought some privileges, including social recognition and small financial support,” said Umbetzhanova. “But the greatest reward was seeing my children grow into good people and create their own families.”

According to Radio Free Europe, some Hero Mothers are returning their medals in protest, saying the government is not holding up its side of the bargain. Critics say the benefits are not enough to provide for a large family.

The fertility rate globally is decreasing, including in the United States where some conservative organizations are running campaigns that encourage women to have more babies. Despite pushback from critics who say that incentivizing childbirth is morally wrong, other countries are looking for incentives for women to have more babies.

The birth rate has remained steady in Kazakhstan at just under 3% according to the Astana Times. It even increased slightly during the pandemic to 3.3%. But a recent slight decline in Central Asia worries many countries in the region.

“Encouraging large families is important,” Umbetzhanova said. “But governments should also focus on providing education, healthcare and financial stability to support parents.”

Kazakhstan has updated the law on receiving the medals and status by requiring that a Hero Mother doesn’t just produce a big brood, but who also cares and provides for her children. The government verifies this through multiple references a woman submits when applying for the medal.

Umbetzhanova says it’s not just about the medals.

“It was a good way to encourage families to have more children, especially during the Soviet era,” Umbetzhanova said. “But raising a family is not just about medals—it requires love, dedication, and strong support systems.”