UNFPA in Turkmenistan

UNFPA began its support to Turkmenistan in 1992. UNFPA supplied contraceptives, basic medical equipment and training. Activities were partly executed by the Government, UNFPA, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

This assistance continued under a subregional programme for Central Asia from 1995-1999, which aimed to reduce abortion, expand the contraceptive mix and promote informed choice through information, education and communication (IEC) on reproductive health and family planning. Through the United Nations Statistics Division, UNFPA provided data processing equipment and technical assistance for the 1995 population census. A reproductive health centre was established in each of the five velayats (provinces) and Ashgabat city, and reproductive health services were available at the etrap (district) level. A system of master trainers provided substantial training in reproductive health management, family planning and contraceptive counselling, including such topics as reproductive tract and post-abortion infection, post-abortion contraception and safe motherhood. A management information and contraceptive forecasting system was set up and national scientists conducted a series of surveys on reproductive health issues. A study was conducted on reproductive health issues of concern to teenagers and parents, and a family life education curriculum for grade nine students was developed and tested, contributing to increased reproductive health knowledge among adolescents. A mass media strategy to promote a healthy lifestyle was developed, and information, education and communication (IEC) materials were produced.

The first UNFPA country programme for Turkmenistan (2000-2004) sought to strengthen the capacity of national institutions dealing with reproductive health, adolescents and statistical data. It was formulated in close consultation with governmental, non-governmental, United Nations and donor organizations and took into account the development objectives of the Government as set out in the State Health Programme of the President. The programme supported the adoption of legislation on reproductive health care; strengthened the reproductive health care system by improving the technical capacity of service providers; and established a logistics management system for contraceptive supplies. Advocacy interventions involving youth organizations, women's unions and civil society organizations supported the reproductive health programme.

The primary goal of the State Health Programme of the President, which was announced in 1995, was to improve the health status of the population through such means as the introduction of state voluntary medical insurance, the development of the private sector, the improvement of health management and human resource development. In line with this, the goal of the proposed programme would be to contribute to the improved quality of life of the people of Turkmenistan through improvements in reproductive health, the promotion of gender equity and equality and a better understanding of the population and development interrelationships, including environment.

In the area of population and development strategies, UNFPA was successful in providing policy support to the Government as well as technical expertise in demography, statistics and research. UNFPA helped to establish a gender database and a training and research centre. UNFPA also supported the 2004 intercensal survey. The efficiency of public policies and programmes must be improved, however, by building local and national capacity to produce, analyse and use population data.

The focus on national execution during the first country programme helped to further strengthen national capacity and ownership. UNFPA established important partnerships with central and local governments, civil society organizations and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

UNFPA played an active role in coordinating health-related activities with key donors by sharing information and implementing joint projects, such as the project on the health of refugees, undertaken with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United States Agency for International Development.

The first UNFPA Country Programme for Turkmenistan placed emphasis on outputs to improve reproductive health, information crucial for decisions related to population and development and on advocacy for basic important issues related to implementation of the Programme of Action agreed at the International Conference on Population and Development held in 1994 and endorsed by the Government of Turkmenistan. It was to be implemented through three Sub-programmes, namely a Sub-programme on Reproductive Health (RH); on Population and Development Strategies (PDS) and one for Advocacy. Gender concerns were to be integrated in all three Sub-programmes.

The Country Programme was developed within the framework of a human rights approach. All activities under the proposed programme, as in all UNFPA-assisted activities, would be undertaken in accordance with the principles and objectives of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), which was endorsed by the General Assembly in its resolution 49/128.

Lessons learned include: (a) the importance of cooperation among United Nations organizations, the Government and civil society organizations; and (b) the need for appropriate indicators. Future programmes should make provisions to collect data through baseline surveys and should include monitoring and evaluation tools.

Evaluation of the First UNFPA Country Programme in 2004 found that CP has been implemented very successfully and has achieved wide involvement, understanding and respect for issues in Turkmenistan central to UNFPA's mandate. The evaluation also showed that the UNFPA Country Office jointly with the Government has established a good, functioning network with major international and national partners in population and reproductive health in the country.

A new Country Programme for 2005-2009 will be the second regular UNFPA programme of assistance to Turkmenistan. All activities under the programme will be undertaken in accordance with ICPD principles and with respect for human rights.The activities are geared to achieve the development goals of Turkmenistan as outlined in the Socio-Economic Development Strategy as well as the Economic, Political and Cultural Development Strategy for the Period of Up to 2020. The programme aims to enhance the quality of life of the people of Turkmenistan by improving the quality of and access to reproductive health services.

All interventions will be undertaken at the national level by providing policy advice and technical expertise and by strengthening the capacity of relevant national institutions.

The country programme is comprised of two components: population and development strategies, and reproductive health. Gender and human rights perspectives have been included in both components. Advocacy is a cross-cutting strategy. The programme responds to two UNDAF areas of cooperation: (a) basic social services; and (b) the development of economic and social policies and plans.

Advocacy for ICPD PoA under the Programme Coordination and Assistance (PCA) project will be organized by the following national partners: Youth Organization and Ministry of Social Welfare. Specific activities include World Population Day (July 11), International Youth Day (12 August), United Nations Day (24 October), National Health Day (first Saturday of November), World Elderly Day (1 October).

UNFPA will cooperate with main partners who will be crucial for the achievement of the 2005-2009 CP goals either through joint programming where possible, sharing of technical expertise, or consolidation or achievement of synergies. These partners include other UN agencies, Government ministers, civic organizations and international development agencies. It is envisaged that the strategic partnership will largely be at programme intervention level except for Government ministers, civic and other non-governmental organizations, which will also receive direct financial support from UNFPA. In the case of UN agencies, efforts will be made to promote joint programme support either through common funding of individual annual plans or through direct support to identified activities in an agreed upon set of interventions, particularly in the areas of STI/HIV/AIDS prevention and safe motherhood.