UNDP and the Ombudsperson`s Office convened a workshop in a hybrid format on the activities of the Ombudsman in ensuring the rights of women in Turkmenistan. The event gathered representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Prosecutor`s Office, Judicial system, other ministries, and agencies including civil society organizations from Mary, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap velayats, and Ashgabat city.

The workshop is organized in the framework of the two-year UNDP project: "Strengthening the Institutional Capacity of the Ombudsperson’s Office of Turkmenistan" implemented jointly with the Ombudsperson`s Office of Turkmenistan.

Centralizing 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender equality and aiming empowerment of women and girls through targeted gender-specific interventions, the workshop is aimed to discuss the role of Ombudsperson`s Office in ensuring the protection of the rights of women, families, and children in Turkmenistan, international standards for the operation of national human rights institutions with special responsibilities, and international standards for family well-being.

“I would especially like to note the importance of promoting the rights of woman, as gender equality is at the center of the concept of human rights and the values ​​of the United Nations. Equality and non-discrimination are fundamental principles of the UN Charter, adopted by world leaders in 1945”- said Mr. Akmyrat Danatarov, UNDP Programme Analyst for Governance, Economic Diversification, and Inclusive Growth.

The objectives of the workshop will contribute to the efforts of the country to comply with its international human rights obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, its Optional Protocol, and other related international human rights treaties.

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The activity is organized in the framework of the project: "Strengthening the institutional capacity of the Ombudsperson’s Office of Turkmenistan" implemented jointly by the UNDP in Turkmenistan and the Office of Ombudsperson in Turkmenistan.

The Project aims to improve the system of protection, promotion, and implementation of human rights in Turkmenistan by reforming national legislation in accordance with the human rights international obligations of Turkmenistan and increasing the institutional capacity of the Ombudsperson’s Office.