Ashgabat, 16 June 2023. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) presented the project titled “Strengthening the legal framework on trafficking in persons in Turkmenistan in the context of youth and women empowerment” to members of the Interdepartmental Working Group charged with the implementation of the National Action Plans of Turkmenistan on Combatting Trafficking in Persons (NAP). The presentation of the project took place in the United Nations House in Ashgabat.

The main goal of the project is to support Turkmenistan in strengthening the legal framework and developing a new National Action Plan on Combatting Trafficking in Persons in the context of empowerment of youth and women through integration of a gender- and age-sensitive approach. In this work, the project will consult with relevant government partners, civil society organizations and interested UN agencies in Turkmenistan to take into account all opinions and interests.

The project will also raise awareness of relevant officials, including law enforcement and civil society organizations, of modern anti-trafficking practices that consider the interests of women and youth.

During the event, members of the Interdepartmental Working Group also reviewed the implementation of the National Action Plan of Turkmenistan on Combatting Trafficking in Persons for 2020-2022, and discussed issues that need attention in the framework of the implementation of the new NAP on combating trafficking in persons.

The new NAP on combating trafficking in persons will take into account Turkmenistan’s commitments set out in the National Youth Strategy for 2021-2025, the National Action Plan for Gender Equality for 2021-2025 and the Law on Social Services. The project will contribute to the achievement by Turkmenistan of Sustainable Development Goals 5, 8, 10, 16, 17 and Goals 7 and 10 of the Global Compact for Migration.

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For additional questions, please contact:

Dovlet Chariyev

IOM Communication Focal Point

E-mail: dchariyev@iom.int

Tel:+99312 488407