Ashgabat hosted the presentation of the national component of the international CHANGE programme, which aims to promote gender equality and transform social norms. The initiative is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with the support of the European Union in Central Asian countries. This was reported by Orient.

The regional project, with a budget of €5.2 million, aims to develop inclusive economic policies and improve social institutions.

Research will be one of the programme’s key areas. UNDP and UNFPA will support national partners in conducting a time-use survey and studying the informal labour market. The findings will help assess employment patterns and develop recommendations to expand access to vocational education, retraining and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people.

UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan Narine Saakyan noted that expanding women’s economic opportunities contributes to sustainable national economic growth. UNFPA Head of Office Kemal Goshlyyev and Maciej Adam Madalinski, a representative of the European Union Delegation, emphasised the importance of developing an evidence base to strengthen institutions promoting equal opportunities.

The CHANGE programme aligns with Turkmenistan’s national priorities for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5, “Gender Equality”, and SDG 8, “Decent Work and Economic Growth”.