EU seminar on human rights and gender issues held in Ashgabat

On July 17-18, 2023, a two-day workshop on human rights, gender and the eradication of sexual harassment was held in Ashgabat. The workshop, organized by the Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA 10), funded by the EU, was attended by Turkmenistan's border and law enforcement officials.

The objectives of the workshop were to increase participants' understanding of human rights and gender issues, to provide knowledge on how to identify and respond to signs of sexual harassment, and to familiarize them with the role of NGOs in providing assistance in appropriate cases.

Experts from Lithuania held sessions on the international legal framework for the protection of human rights. They shared best practices on identifying and protecting vulnerable persons and victims of gender-based violence in the context of migration.

The participants were able to put their knowledge into practice by carrying out situational exercises. These exercises allowed them to apply normative documents and legal tools to assist victims of gender-based violence.

According to officials, the workshop was an important step in equipping law enforcement agencies with tools to respect human rights and protect vulnerable groups. One officer noted that the practical knowledge gained was very valuable for his daily work.

The EU-funded BOMCA 10 program aims to strengthen border management capacity in Central Asia. Seminars such as this one in Ashgabat promote a culture of human rights and gender awareness within security forces.