18 September 2026, Ashgabat – A consultative meeting took place from 16 to 18 September, organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Office in Turkmenistan jointly with the Mejlis of Turkmenistan under the Work Plan to strengthen systems and mechanisms for promoting gender equality in legislation. The initiative also supports the practical implementation of the National Action Plan on Gender Equality for 2026–2030 and the Roadmap for implementing the Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
The three-day program brought together a specialized working group comprising members of the Mejlis, alongside representatives from Turkmenistan’s key ministries, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, social institutions, and human rights bodies. The consultations were facilitated online by UNFPA international expert Ms. Morgan Landel.
Over the three days, participants analyzed CEDAW recommendations on strengthening legal frameworks to prohibit discrimination against women and protect family values. Discussions focused on international standards and core components of relevant legislation, including terminology, protective measures, the justice system, budgeting, and monitoring mechanisms. Practical sessions also featured a detailed review of international legislative examples to assess their applicability within the national legal framework.
The main outcome of the meeting was the alignment of approaches toward drafting proposed amendments and additions to Turkmenistan’s legislative acts—marking an important step forward in reinforcing legal mechanisms to safeguard women’s rights and promote family well-being. ///nCa, 18 September 2026 (in cooperation with UNFPA Turkmenistan)