Programme Area:

Economic and Social Policy Development

Project Number:

00015012

Duration:

2004 – 2009

Partners:

Women’s Union of Turkmenistan

Budget:

USD 370,014

Expenditures:

USD 369,277

UNDP

British Embassy in Turkmenistan

Project Contact Information:

Executing Agency:

Women’s Union

National Project Coordinator:

Ms. Ogulhadjat Ishanguliyeva,
Chairperson, Women’s Union of Turkmenistan

Project Manager

Ms. Tatyana Mamedova,

13, Turkmenbashy avenue, Ashgabat 744000, Turkmenistan

Tel: (993 12) 392052

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

UNDP Programme Officer :

UNDP Turkmenistan

1995 (Galkynysh) Street, 40 744013 Ashgabat Turkmenistan

Tel: (993 12) 425250

Fax: (993 12) 425317

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Background:

Following its independence in 1991, Turkmenistan embarked on a gradual transition from the socialized ownership of the Soviet era to a market economy, with a new state structure. The government developed an extensive social safety net system that supports basic needs and minimizes social costs. The government follows the principles of equal distribution of resources both for urban and rural territories and among its people.  However, the most important challenge to development is now to ensure a balanced growth, one that avoids a sharp rise in income inequalities and living standards, one that equally benefits men and women, urban and rural populations, and different generations. 

A 2001 study by the National Institute of State Statistics and Information revealed familiar patterns of gender stratification in economic activity, with women being employed largely in the informal sector. Women in the formal sector are concentrated at the lower end of the scale in certain segments including health care, education and the food industry.

As in other Central Asian countries, there is some evidence that the top-down imposition of gender equality by the previous regime was not entirely successful in addressing some deep-rooted traditional gender biases.  Perceptions of women’s roles still center on marriage and motherhood. Differences also exist in representation of men and women in public life. 

Project Objectives:

The aim of the project is twofold: (1) capacity development of rural women to be engaged into income generating activities and (2) strengthening capacity for gender mainstreaming among policy and decision makers and NGOs. 

Project description:

The first component will aim at creating self-employment opportunities for rural poor women.  Unemployed or underemployed women from low income families will be selected, trained and guided in income generation activities.  Based on potential self employment opportunities small grant programme will be implemented.  This will be used as seed money for procurement basic tools and materials to start up income generation activities. The second component will support the process of monitoring the implementation of the CEDAW and National Action Plan as well as expanding awareness on CEDAW and gender equality, enhancing advocacy and problem solving skills and formulating project proposals in response to women’s needs identifying in the women’s needs assessment.

Achievements:

• An inter-ministerial steering committee for gender reestablished and included high – level representatives from various government structures.

• International best practices, guidance and expertise provided to the committee and national experts for elaboration of the shadow CEDAW report and National Action Plan.

• Shadow CEDAW report and revised National Action Plan prepared, discussed and presented to the general public.

• National Action Plan approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and forwarded to ministries and departments for implementation.

• Various gender related information material on local languages prepared and disseminated to the gender public through Women’s Resource Centers.

• An intensive awareness campaign carried out throughout the country including for representatives of mass media, teachers from secondary schools and higher institutions, employees from the health sector.

• Activities of raising public awareness concerning gender issues and CEDAW Convention are carried out.

• Training on ethics in family conducted for mothers-in law and men.

• Consultations with local government bodies and selection of localities on the existing capacity of self-employment are carried out.

• Survey conducted in Dashoguz and Mary velayats to study self-employed rural women’s training and education needs for business development; demand for non-financial and financial services.

• Review of the existing system of non-financial and financial services systems carried out.

• Trade fairs conducted in Dashoguz and Mary velayats to demonstrate potential and hand-crafts made by rural women and to create income generating opportunities.