Ashgabat, 15 May 2009 – Today, the International Day of the Family is celebrated in Turkmenistan.  This day highlights the importance of families. It aims at fostering equality, bringing about a fuller sharing of domestic responsibilities and employment opportunities. 

The year 1994 was proclaimed as the International Year of Families by the United Nations. This was a response to changing social and economic structures, which have affected and still affect the structure and stability of family units in many regions of the globe. The International Day of Families, 15th of May, is an occasion to reflect on the work started in 1994 and to celebrate the importance of families, people, societies and cultures around the world. It has been held every year since 1994. The theme of 2009 campaign is "Mothers and Families: Challenges in a Changing World". 

Health Information Center at the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), will organize TV talk show which will be broadcast on TV Channel “Altyn Asyr”.  People of different age groups, ethnics, cultures and diversities will join together to discuss the inherent strengths of families.  Discussion will aim at fostering equality, bringing about a fuller sharing of domestic responsibilities and employment opportunities. The discussion will also look at the role of mothers in the family and how empowerment of women contributes to socio-economic development of the society.  

“Women are the arbiters of social change. They play an important role in teaching children the first lessons of life and making them accept values which are helpful later in shaping their personality, attitude and behavior.  Women set the pattern of the family. If women’s reproductive health needs are met through accessible and good quality services, they will become the best supporters of the family planning programmes,” commented Ms. Jennet Appova, UNFPA Assistant Representative a.i. in Turkmenistan. “We are happy to congratulate all people with the International Day of the Family, which recognizes importance of the family, society and culture all around the world.”    

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UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect. 

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