Ashgabat, August 4 2023 – the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with the Institute of State, Law and Democracy and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Center, within the framework of the implementation of the National Action Plan for Gender Equality in Turkmenistan for 2021-2025, organized a series of roundtable discussions aimed at monitoring the implementation of the National Action Plan for Gender Equality in all regions across the country.
The National Action Plan for Gender Equality for 2021-2025 reflects the government's unwavering commitment to fostering a more equitable and just society for everyone. With the objective of breaking down barriers and advancing gender equality in all aspects of life, this Plan outlines comprehensive measures that encompass education, workforce, healthcare, legal rights, and social norms.
The roundtable discussions took place in Ashgabat and five velayats across the country over the course of two weeks (July 25 – August 4), involving state-governance representatives to collaborate, share insights, and devise effective approaches for working
“Roundtable discussions on gender equality are valuable platforms for engaging stakeholders from various backgrounds in open and constructive dialogues about addressing issues related to gender disparities. These discussions can help to identify challenges, develop solutions, and foster collaboration among individuals and organizations committed to advancing gender equality” highlighted Ms. Shemshat Atajanova, Head of the Department of Democracy and International Relations, Institute of State, Law and Democracy of Turkmenistan.
Gender equality is an integral part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”. SDG 5 is essential for creating a more equitable, just, and sustainable world where all individuals have equal opportunities to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their gender. Hence, progress in achieving gender equality is critical for achieving other SDGs related to poverty, education, health, and environmental sustainability.
UNFPA plays a crucial role in supporting the achievement of SDGs in Turkmenistan. Hence, UNFPA has been a strategic partner of the Government of Turkmenistan in advancing gender equality at all levels focusing on prevention and response to gender based violence, ensuring access to universal reproductive health services, including maternal health and family planning, and fostering gender equality through access and use of population data, and youth programmes
Background
National Action Plan on Gender Equality for 2021 – 2025 (NAPGE) is a comprehensive policy document, which identifies national goals, objectives, and priorities to continue advancement in the realization of gender equality in all spheres of people’s lives at national and local levels. The document was developed by the Working Group of the Interagency Commission to ensure the implementation of international obligations of Turkmenistan in the areas of human rights and international humanitarian law with support of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund.
The National Action Plan builds on the 2018 Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, other international human rights obligations relating to gender equality, the assessment results of the first NAPGE for 2016-2020, and relevant SDG goals and targets linked to gender equality committed to by the Government.
The strategic areas of NAPGE include enhancement of the legislation, ensuring gender-responsive healthcare, fostering equal access to education, prevention and response to gender-based violence, economic empowerment of women and girls, advancing women’s participation on all levels, including the political and social dimensions. The Plan takes into account the socio-economic impact of the global pandemic on women and girls and outlines the measures to ensure that no one is left behind, including young girls and women with disabilities.
Gender equality issues are reflected in all national programmes of Turkmenistan that are directed to further integration of women and girls into the socio-economic and cultural development of the country. Turkmenistan has joined major international commitments in the field of gender equality, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (in 1996), its Optional Protocol (in 2009), and the Sustainable Development Goals until 2030. The country completed and published the results of its first Health and Status of a Woman in the Family in Turkmenistan. Road Map following the recommendations of the survey was developed in November 2022.
Read about:
Health and Status of a Women in the Family in Turkmenistan
Please watch:
National Action Plan for Gender Equality for 2021-2025
For more information, please contact:
Mehri Karakulova
UNFPA National Programme Analyst on Gender and Youth
Ogulgerek Annayeva
UNFPA Communications Analyst
About UNFPA: UNFPA's mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled
