Today, the Chairperson of the Mejlis of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan took part in the annual meeting of the Dialogue of Women of Central Asia via a digital system.

The event brought together representatives of Central Asian parliaments and governments, the heads of UNDP, the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, UN Women, representatives of civil society institutions from the Central Asian countries, leaders of the Arab Women Parliamentarians Network for Equality “Ra'edat” and the Association of African Women.

The Dialogue of Women of Central Asia was established in December 2020 with the support from the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia as an informal regional platform to support women in the region, enhance their political, economic and social role and expand opportunities to have a greater influence on decision-making processes on issues related to sustainable development.

As part of the meeting, the results of the first year of the Dialogue’s functioning were summed up, as well as the prospects for the development of the organization and plans for activities for 2022.were considered.

As was noted, during its first year of existence, the Dialogue served as a high-level binding political platform for women in Central Asia. To this end, a number of events were held on the topics of sustainable development, political activities of women, including in matters related to peace and security, increasing their economic opportunities, on which final statements were formulated.

In this regard, emphasis was on the importance of a regular meeting of the Dialogue of Women of Central Asia, organized on the initiative of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on August 6 in the Avaza National Tourist Zone, during which a broad range of views was exchanged on gender policy, the role of women in various sectors of the economy, and a declaration with recommendations for the empowerment of women was adopted.

Regarding the achievements of our country in the field of gender equality, it was highlighted that Turkmenistan provides legal instruments and guarantees for equal participation of men and women in governing a state, improving their working conditions.

Today, women in Turkmenistan are widely represented in all branches of government, in particular, in both chambers of the parliament.

The country is successfully implementing the second action plan for gender equality for 2021–2025.

In April this year, Turkmenistan was elected to the Executive Council of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) for 2022-2024.

On the initiative of Leader of the Nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Centers for the Protection of Maternal and Child Health with state-of-the-art medical equipment have been built throughout the country, and a solid legal framework has been created that regulates the implementation of the rights of mothers and children.

Particularly noteworthy is the fact that the Law of Turkmenistan on the Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding has been recognized by international organizations as exemplary and role model for dissemination in the region, said the Chairperson of the Mejlis of the Milli Gengesh.

During the meeting, the presidency of this organization in 2022 was delegated to Turkmenistan.

At the end of the meeting, an Address of the Dialogue of Women of Central Asia to the Heads of State of Central Asia was adopted.