Further implementation of NAP on Gender Equality is outlined and affirmed

ASHGABAT, 20 July 2016 - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted a coordination meeting of national stakeholders with the UN agencies to develop a road map for implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Gender Equality in Turkmenistan, approved by the Presidential decree in January 2015.

The purpose of the meeting was to identify key activities for the period of 2016-2017, to review and agree the coordinating ministry, outline a clear timeframe and define specific sub-actions to be taken.

Thirty two national specialists represented by members of the Working Group of Interagency Commission on Turkmenistan along with representatives from Mejlis, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Statistics Committee, National Institute of Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan, Women's Union, Youth Organization named after Magtymguly, and National Red Crescent Society were actively engaged in development of concrete activities and actions to successfully implement 14 strategic tasks spelled out in the NAP on Gender Equality, identification of a coordinating agency among government structures for each objective and setting the timeline for implementation of every activity within the 18 upcoming months.

“Last year at the General Assembly, the President of Turkmenistan talked about the priority focus he is giving to gender equality in the country, so it is important to implement NAP as it is one of the programs that can strengthen gender equality” said Jacinta Barrins, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP/ UNFPA Representative.

The NAP on Gender Equality was developed with support of UNFPA and approved on 22 January 2015, and substantial work has already been done for realization of the plan. This includes awareness raising trainings among line ministries, legislative analysis and its improvement, studies of international legislative practices in domestic violence, and dissemination of information on gender equality among the public.

The plan also addresses the issues on elimination of discrimination against women, promotion of equal opportunities for women, equal access to quality education, health care and the labor market, as well as the fulfillment of international treaty obligations. The NAP aims to strengthen national capacity on reporting, monitoring and implementation of Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and other human rights obligations relating to gender equality.

The meeting has been led by the National Institute on Democracy and Human Rights with technical support from UNFPA and UN Women and other UN agencies.

The discussion of the ways for effective achievement of the 14 NAP objectives was truly constructive and highly productive which reflects the crosscutting nature of gender equality aspects in the development agenda of Turkmenistan. Today’s meeting once again underlined commitment of the Government of Turkmenistan to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in Turkmenistan. /UNRC Office.