UNFPA initiated and completed a Baseline Assessment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators that relate to reproductive rights and maternal health, gender equality and data for development - the key issues promoted by the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), the main guiding document for UNFPA’s efforts globally and in Turkmenistan.
The focus of the assessment was on a detailed evaluation to consolidate, further analyse, disaggregate the existing data to serve as SDG baselines and to inform programming and policymaking for women and population and development actions. The Assessment involved reviewing all the available data from the official and administrative sources, web-based sources, triangulating and combing data sources.
The major findings of the Assessment include the need for applying internationally adopted data collection methods, establishment of an internet resource with the SDG data and information on the country’s progress towards SDG targets, gaps in data availability and potential solutions. Representatives of the relevant ministries and government agencies discussed the findings of the assessment and brainstormed the solutions within the working groups.
The interactive dialogue helped to discuss the challenges and areas of improvement, and needed actions by all stakeholders. Among the needs voiced by the national participants were arranging regular working meetings to go through the applied data collection methodologies testing them against the international metadata, raise the issue of data availability and accessibility, work with national ministries within the SDG indicators they are responsible for and provide technical guidance, expand awareness raising actions among population, especially in velayats.
“The Assessment is going to critically support the country’s endeavours in implementing its commitments under the ICPD and SDGs,” said Ms. Bayramgul Garabayeva, UNFPA Assistant Representative in Turkmenistan, “It will, therefore, advance actions in ensuring reproductive health and rights, more opportunities for young people to realise their potential, equal rights and opportunities for women and men, and availability of quality data to measure the progress towards development targets.”
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For additional information, please contact:
Bayramgul Garabayeva, UNFPA Assistant Representative
Dovran Yamatov, UNFPA Programme Analyst on Population Dynamics and Gender
Tel: 488325
