Turkmenistan gained independence in 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. For two decades after becoming a sovereign nation, Turkmenistan was led by a dictatorial regime that saw systemic corruption and human rights violations, as well as the days of the week and months of the year renamed after the country’s leader. A new administration gained control in 2006 and initially made some progress toward a less authoritarian system. Under the constitution, drafted in 2008, “Men and women in Turkmenistan shall have equal rights and freedoms, and equal opportunities for their realization. Violation of equality on the basis of gender shall be punishable according to the law.” In 2009, Turkmenistan ratified the optional protocol of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and in 2015 adopted a law “guaranteeing the equal rights and equal opportunities for women and men.” Unfortunately, these advancements have been marred by one of the most repressive administrations in the world. Though the constitution claims Turkmenistan to be a presidential republic and secular democracy, authoritarianism remains prominent limiting Turkmen citizens’ abilities to reform the human rights violations committed against them. The government controls the media and has placed heavy restrictions on the internet, so information regarding gender inequality is minimal and often inaccurate. Women’s organizations are required to be registered under the Women’s Union of Turkmenistan, which is controlled and financed by the government.
Due to the country’s deeply embedded patriarchal attitudes and gender stereotypes, women’s sports in Turkmenistan are severely under-developed. However, with the financial support from FIFA, and the newly established women’s national football team, some progress has been made over the last few years. Through FIFA’s initiatives and sports programming, girls are gaining access to safe and inclusive sporting opportunities. Representation has also been important, as more female athletes are succeeding on the world’s stage. At the 2020 Tokyo Games, weightlifter Polina Guryeva, won silver in the 59kg category, becoming the first athlete from Turkmenistan to bring home an Olympic medal.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in Turkmenistan:
Jenneta Hallyyeva
How does Turkmenistan compare to other countries?
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Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
25%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
0%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
No
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
Unknown
Title IX Timeline
1927
Women gained the right to vote (full suffrage).
1991
Turkmenistan gained independence on October 27 with the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
1996
Two judo athletes and one table tennis athlete became the first women to represent Turkmenistan in the Olympics. Turkmenistan ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
2008
Mayagozel Pekiyeva and Valentina Simakova, two powerlifting athletes, became the first women to represent Turkmenistan in the Paralympics.
2009
Turkmenistan ratified the optional protocol to CEDAW.
2020
Polina Guryeva became the first woman representing Turkmenistan to win an Olympic medal (weightlifting- silver).
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
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0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
3
-
11
-
8
-
4
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
2
-
3
-
1
Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
1996
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
2000
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
Polina Guryeva: 2020, Weightlifting (Silver)
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
2008
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
2008
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
The first woman could be you!
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
2019
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
In 2021, the women’s national team head coach and former player, Kamil Mingazow, began working with FIFA and AFC to organize festivals and tournaments to bring visibility to women’s soccer in Turkmenistan.
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
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FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
Unknown
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
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LOCAL
Sports
Initiatives
Major Regional Or Country Sport Initiatives
In 2020, The Government of Turkmenistan signed the National Action Plan for Gender Equality (NAPGE) for 2021-2025. This plan worked to promote gender equality in all sectors, including sport.
