National survey on issues facing women in Turkmenistan

F.P. Report

LONDON: British Embassy and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) co-chaired the first meeting of the group focussing on gender issues in Turkmenistan.

On 21 September, UNFPA and British Embassy chaired a meeting for embassies, international organisations and other partners active in Turkmenistan to present the key findings of the first-ever national survey on health and status of a woman in the family conducted by the Government of Turkmenistan working in partnership with UNFPA.

This was the first meeting of the group focussing on gender issues as part of the wider Development Partners Coordination structure in Turkmenistan.  Participants will meet regularly to enhance cooperation and to engage with the Government of Turkmenistan to promote gender equality and prevent domestic and gender-based violence in the country, in line with the National Action Plan on Gender Equality for 2021-2025.

The British Embassy was pleased to co-fund this important national survey that provides data on crucial issues affecting the lives of women in Turkmenistan.   Among many other issues the survey revealed that one in six women, or 16%, had experienced some form of abuse by an intimate partner, and one in eight, or 12%, have been exposed to physical or sexual violence.

John Hamilton, the Charge d’Affaires of the British Embassy said:

Work to support women and girls in Turkmenistan has been a key priority of the Embassy for many years.  We were very happy to work closely with UNFPA throughout this time.

Concluding his speech, Mr Hamilton also stressed and said:

If we are to address the issues highlighted in survey successfully we must do so in cooperation with each other and the Government of Turkmenistan.