A new UNFPA report mapping gender-responsive family policies across 21 countries in Europe and Central Asia highlights persistent gender inequalities and policy gaps, with a focus on how these policies support work-life balance, gender equality, and child development. While many countries have made progress in maternity and parental leave and early childhood care, Turkmenistan shows limited support for fathers and self-employed parents, and a continuing reliance on women as primary caregivers.
Key Findings for Turkmenistan:
Turkmenistan provides 16 weeks of maternity leave at 100% of previous earnings, though self-employed mothers are not eligible for cash benefits. Legally, maternity leave can only be transferred to the father under exceptional circumstances (e.g. maternal illness or death), reinforcing traditional gender roles.
There is no legal provision for paternity leave, making it one of the few countries in the study lacking such support. However, fathers may access up to 156 weeks of parental leave (until the child turns 3), though the cash benefit is just 65% of earnings and unavailable to the self-employed. This long duration of leave can support caregiving but may not be attractive to fathers given the income loss and cultural norms.
Turkmenistan also allows unpaid family care leave, with up to 10 days per year for general caregiving needs, and 14 days for specific situations (e.g. caring for a child under 3 or raising multiple children under 14). Still, carer’s leave is unpaid, limiting its accessibility and impact.
In terms of flexible work, part-time arrangements are legally available for pregnant women and parents of children under 14. However, there is no legal support for remote work or flexible scheduling, leaving parents with few options to adapt their work to family needs.
Turkmenistan has a pre-primary education system starting at age 3, with costs shared between parents and the state based on means testing. However, no national childcare system exists for children under 2, contributing to a childcare policy gap of 32.3 months – the period between the end of parental leave and the start of available childcare – placing pressure on women to stay home.
While the country provides paid breastfeeding breaks every three hours until a child is 18 months old, the duration of breaks is unspecified, and employers are required to provide nursing facilities, although no minimum workplace size is defined in the legislation.
Turkmenistan offers a birth grant, childcare allowance, family allowance, and support for children with disabilities, but does not provide adoption allowances. Paid sick leave ranges from 5 to 14 days, with compensation depending on work history – ranging from 60% to 100% of previous earnings.
Overall, the UNFPA report underscores that while Turkmenistan has some core family policy protections in place, these policies still largely place the burden of childcare on mothers and do little to encourage fathers’ involvement. The absence of paternity leave, the exclusion of the self-employed from benefits, and limited access to childcare for the youngest children contribute to reinforcing traditional gender norms and limiting progress on gender equality. Comprehensive reform, including support for paternal engagement and flexible work arrangements, will be key to advancing equal caregiving responsibilities and supporting families more effectively.
