Sholpan Primbetova, MSSW, a graduate of the Columbia School of Social Work, is a Kazakh social worker, researcher, and regional leader with over 30 years of experience dedicated to preventing gender-based violence (GBV) and strengthening survivor-centered care systems across Central Asia. Sholpan currently serves as an Adjunct Research Scientist at Columbia University’s School of Social Work and as Deputy Regional Director at the Columbia University Global Health Research Center of Central Asia. Her research focuses on structural violence, trauma-informed care systems, and improving access to health and social services for marginalized populations. As a National Consultant for UNFPA, Sholpan played a key role in developing protocols to integrate GBV response into medical education and clinical practice, and co-designed national algorithms for primary healthcare providers. Sholpan has also contributed to the design of social services addressing the sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents affected by violence. With over 70+ scientific publications and multiple high-impact projects, her voice is a vital one in regional and global GBV conversations.
