The Government of Turkmenistan, with technical support from UNICEF, has initiated the development of a National Programme on Child Protection and Justice for Children — an important step toward strengthening systems that protect children and uphold their rights.

The process began with the first meeting of the Inter-Agency Working Group (IWG), held on 15 April in Ashgabat. The Working Group has been formally established by the Government, with the Prosecutor General’s Office serving as the coordinating body and 10 government agencies involved.

This will be the first programme of its kind in Turkmenistan. It aims to bring different sectors together to ensure a coordinated approach to child protection and justice for children. The Programme builds on the country’s strong legal framework, including the Constitution, national laws on children’s rights, and the National Action Plan on Children’s Rights (2023–2028).

It also responds to international recommendations from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (2024) and the Universal Periodic Review (2023),and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2026–2030) and the UNICEF Country Programme for Turkmenistan (2026–2030).

At its first meeting, participants agreed on a structured work process and a roadmap, which foresees the completion of the draft National Programme within this year. The development process will include extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including children, families, and professionals across relevant sectors, to ensure the Programme reflects real needs and experiences.

Guided by this roadmap, the Working Group will focus on four key areas: ensuring quality family-based alternative care for children who cannot live with their families, improving justice for children, preventing violence, and reinforcing the overall child protection system.

“UNICEF welcomes the Government's decision to develop this landmark programme. It reflects Turkmenistan's strong commitment to children's rights and will help build a more coordinated, family-centered child protection system - benefiting every child and every family.” – said Jalpa Ratna, UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan