Prevention and criminalization of domestic violence focus of OSCE- organized roundtable discussions in Turkmenistan

A two-day online event on the prevention and criminalization of domestic violence in Turkmenistan started today on 7 September 2021.  

This roundtable discussion brought together representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Ministry of Justice, Prosecutor General’s Office, Ombudsperson’s Office, Women’s Union, Youth Organization and Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan. The event provides a platform to exchange best practices in preventing domestic violence against women and allow for discussion on how to further improve the legal framework of criminalization of domestic violence.

“The continued prevalence of gender-based violence is an ongoing acute social problem that damages the lives of women and girls around the world. It is important to emphasize the vital role of law-enforcement officials for early prevention of violence against women and girls and strengthen legislative framework to criminalize gender–based and domestic violence,” said William Leaf, Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. "The Centre will continue to actively support Turkmenistan’s efforts aimed at the implementation of its national frameworks and international obligations in the area of gender equality and human rights," he added.

International experts from Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Bulgaria presented legal and procedural tools from their respective countries and contributed to discussions on current developments and achievements with regard to revision and adoption of legislation criminalizing domestic violence in the OSCE region, including Turkmenistan.

The event organized within the framework of the Centre’s project “Supporting Turkmenistan's Efforts in Preventing and Criminalizing Domestic Violence”.