UNICEF, together with national partners, summarized the results of a three-month pilot program to establish parent support groups in Ashgabat and Dashoguz. The initiative was launched in June, during Parenting Month, when UNICEF and the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Care launched an information campaign with practical recommendations on positive parenting, inclusive play, and child well-being. The project subsequently evolved into a comprehensive program combining professional training for specialists, group meetings for parents, and outreach efforts on social media.
The project provided parents and caregivers with practical training on child development, stress management, and nonviolent discipline. Social and healthcare professionals were trained to facilitate meetings where participants could share experiences, rethink traditional parenting approaches, and try new ones in a supportive atmosphere. At the final meeting, the partners analyzed participant feedback and discussed opportunities for providing similar support in schools, primary healthcare facilities, and community social service centers.
UNICEF Deputy Representative in Turkmenistan Zhanar Sagimbayeva emphasized that the pilot project yielded valuable practical lessons that will be used, together with national partners, to refine the operational model, support lead groups, and develop a roadmap for the next phase. The initiative was implemented with the active participation of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Women’s Union of Turkmenistan.
Based on the collected evidence, the meeting participants agreed on further steps to strengthen methodological support for leading groups and refine the family support model. The findings formed the basis for UNICEF’s work within the 2026-2030 Country Programme and will serve to strengthen the system of social services for families and protect children’s rights in Turkmenistan.
