Turkmenistan: Availability of state protection for women who suffer from domestic abuse from their spouse or former spouse (2000-2004)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 19 August 2004 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | TMT42852.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Turkmenistan: Availability of state protection for women who suffer from domestic abuse from their spouse or former spouse (2000-2004), 19 August 2004, TMT42852.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/42df619a2f.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Although anecdotal evidence suggests that domestic abuse and discrimination against women is widespread, no statistics are currently available (Country Reports 2003 25 Feb. 2004, Sec. 5; World Religions and Cultures n.d.; IHF 5 Nov. 2000, Sec. 4.1). The government of Turkmenistan does not acknowledge the issue of domestic abuse; therefore, there are no specific government programs to address the needs of battered spouses (ibid.).
In 2000, the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) indicated that the Criminal Code of Turkmenistan did not address domestic violence specifically (5 Nov. 2000, Sec. 4.1). In 2000 the only program to address domestic violence was an advocacy project that conducted seminars on the subject (IHF 5 Nov. 2000). In 2004, Country Reports 2003 indicated that at least one official women's group and several informal women's groups, operating in support of victims of domestic abuse, were active in the country (25 Feb. 2004).
Information on the existence of women's shelters was not found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003. 25 February 2004. "Turkmenistan." United States Department of State. Washington, DC.
International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF). 5 November 2000. "Women 2000: An Investigation into the Status of Women's Rights in Central and South-Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States.
World Religions and Cultures. n.d. "Turkmenistan."
Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sites, including: Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, International Committee of the Red Cross, News Central Asia, Open Society Institute, UNIFEM, VNN-Vaishnava News.
