ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, 23-24 May, 2022 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Turkmenistan jointly with the Spotlight Initiative Regional Programme held the workshop titled "Coordination – Quality – Effectiveness. Multi-Sectoral Response to Gender-Based Violence in Central Asia" to be complemented with a three-day Central Asia Regional Training from 25 to 27 May, 2022 titled  “Coordinated services for Supporting Gender Based Violence survivors provided by health, psycho, social and police sectors in Central Asia”.

The workshop and training gathered representatives from various state agencies of Turkmenistan including the judiciary system, the law enforcement agencies, Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Institute of State, Law and Democracy, the Office of Ombudsperson and and public associations Keyik Okara and Yenme  to learn the regional experience on strengthening the multi-sectoral response to gender based violence.

During the workshop Ms. Shemshat Atajanova, Head of the International Relations Department of the Institute of State, Law and Democracy in Turkmenistan made a presentation on Promoting Multi-stakeholder Approach to Gender Mainstreaming Issues in Turkmenistan. Ms. Atajanova noted that the work done in Turkmenistan in this field is in line with the National Action Plan on gender Equality which includes strengthening of the system of multisectoral response to gender-based violence against women.

The Spotlight Initiative Regional Programme covering 5 Central Asian countries, and in partnership with Afghanistan, is aimed at ending sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practice in Central Asia and Afghanistan. The Spotlight Initiative Regional Programme is implemented jointly by the UNDP, UNFPA and UN Women Country Offices in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.