OREANDA-NEWS. August 9, 2010. The international seminar focusing on the methodology for preparing the national report on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) took place in Ashgabat. A member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Pramila Patten comments on the outcomes of the international seminar:

In particular the international expert said that the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women expects Turkmenistan to submit the national report on the implementation of the UN Convention late this year. Having reviewed the draft report Ms. Pramial Patten underscored on the major components of the state policy initiated by the President and the Government of Turkmenistan to guarantee equal rights and equal opportunities for men and women.

The international gender expert said in particular, “First of all, the political will and efforts taken by the President and the Government of Turkmenistan to implement the provisions of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is clearly obvious. Turkmenistan takes the specific steps to implement international norms in national laws. The efforts were taken to establish the network for collecting statistical data in all spheres covered by the Convention that enable to provide an objective evaluation of a current status of women and track the dynamics of current tendencies. Also, the fact that I am invited for the fourth time to participate in the seminar as an international expert, a member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women testifies vividly to the efforts taken by the President of Turkmenistan pays to maintain the high prestige of the country on the international arena.

“The second aspect critical for the implementation of the CEDAW is the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women by Turkmenistan in April, 2009. This Protocol provides women with real opportunities to protect their rights. Thirdly, the provisions of the CEDAW are incorporated in national statutory acts and, moreover, the Law of Turkmenistan “On the State Guarantees of Equal Rights to Women” is adopted.

The international expert underscored the establishment of the Interdepartmental Commission for monitoring the implementation of international human rights commitment of Turkmenistan as an evidence of Turkmenistan’s adherence to the strategy for democratic development and gender equality in particular. Ms. Pramial Patten said that the UN Committee highly and positively evaluated Turkmenistan’s practice of involving members of the national Parliament in the work on the report.

The guest evaluated highly the steps taken by the President and the Government of Turkmenistan to enhance cooperation with the UN agencies that made this seminar possible.

In conclusion Ms. Pramila Patten expressed hope that the joint work would fruitful, and the report submitted by Turkmenistan to the UN Committee would meet the United Nations guidelines.