Statement of UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem

for the International Day of the Girl Child

11 October 2017

Girls today enjoy better life prospects than previous generations in many ways. Prosperity and nutrition are improving, child marriage and teenage pregnancy are declining, and female educational attainment and participation in the labour force are on the rise.

100 days ago UNFPA Turkmenistan Country Office stepped up and got moving towards a healthier, happier life.  

In September, UNFPA Turkmenistan Team has joined the Global Challenge to take us on a Virtual Walking Journey for improved physical and psychological health!

During this intensive journey, our team walked 5,668 km with the daily average of 12,670 steps per day.

14 August 2017, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. As a part of a global initiative to celebrate the International Youth Day, UNFPA Turkmenistan CO facilitated the meeting of the Youth Leaders and Volunteers at the Y-PEER center of Ashgabat.

UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund continues support to the Government of Turkmenistan on integrating the relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on needs and rights of women and young people into the national development programmes and strategies.  Government partners gathered at a roundtable to discuss the methodology of SDGs data collection and analysis in the area of reproductive health, gender equality, youth development and data. The meeting was co-led by UNFPA and the State Statistics Committee (SSC) of Turkmenistan.  

Ms. Elena Panova, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNFPA Representative congratulated the national health partners with the National Day of Health and Medical Industry!

World Population Day 2017 is marked with advocacy campaign for youth on healthy lifestyle by the Y-PEER volunteers at fourteen summer youth camps. More than 1,000 young people aged 13 to 15 raised their awareness on adolescent reproductive health, life skills and healthy lifestyle through the peer-education sessions and presentations conducted by Y-PEER volunteers.

Two back-to-back technical seminars on data collection, processing and reporting under the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Turkmenistan were held this week.  The Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan co-led the meeting in partnership with UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund and WHO, World Health Organization.

New Youth Center opened its doors to Turkmen youth and adolescents at the Youth Palace under the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan.  Promoting healthy living through peer education activities will be the focus of the center, supported by UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund and the Ministry of Education. 

Eziz is an emerging leader in his class.  His classmates respect his views and follow his example of leading a healthy lifestyle.  Parents and teachers of Eziz have also noticed that lately the 15-year old has become more independent, responsible and motivated to learn new things and discover new horizons.

Eziz has become a Y-PEER volunteer, a member of the Youth Peer Education Network in Turkmenistan dedicated to promoting healthy living and gender equality among peers. 

UNFPA participated at the launch the National Programme and Plan of Action on the realization of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control for the period of 2017-2021.