Series of OSCE-supported round table discussions on gender equality conclude in Turkmenistan

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, in partnership with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Institute of State, Law and Democracy of Turkmenistan, conducted a series of hybrid roundtable meetings in five provinces of Turkmenistan on the implementation of the National Action Plan for Gender Equality for 2021-2025. The events also aimed to provide support to Turkmenistan in the preparation of the 6th National Periodic Report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) as well as implementation of international obligations on gender equality.

The objective of five one-day roundtable discussions, organized from 16 to 30 May 2022, was to provide further assistance in strengthening the participants' knowledge of national and international commitments on gender issues and support the implementation of the National Action Plan on Gender Equality for 2021-2025.

Representatives of the Institute of State, Law and Democracy, the Halk Maslahaty (People's Council), the Mejlis (lower chamber), of the Milli Gengesh (National Council), local and provincial municipalities, law enforcement agencies, the Women’s and Youth Union of Turkmenistan and other relevant ministries and state organizations took part in the event.

Rune Castberg, Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Center in Ashgabat, stated: "Recognizing that equal rights and opportunities for women and men are essential to peace, democracy and sustainable economic and environmental development, the OSCE mainstreams gender into all of its activities across three dimensions.”

“The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat attaches special significance to projects promoting gender equality and these meetings mark a successful continuation of the Centre’s co-operation with the host country and UNFPA in this important area,” added Castberg.

The representatives of the OSCE Programme for Gender Issues presented best practices in the implementation of international obligations in the field of gender equality. Participants also discussed the implementation of the final recommendations of the 5th CEDAW report, and elaborated on the process of collecting, analyzing and systematizing information for the preparation of the 6th National Periodic Report on CEDAW.