Turkmenistan emerged as one of the many countries formed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December of 1991. Throughout much of its history, the country has been a footnote in international relations. The Soviet Union appointed its first President and Chairman of the Turkman Communist Party, Saparmurat Niyazov, in 1985. Niyazov supported the 1991 coup plotters in Moscow and continued to rule the country until 2006. His long tenure set the for the nation’s future, as a post-Soviet dictatorship. While this political landscape remained rigid for decades, the economic reality in the country, particularly the capital of Ashgabat, presents a growing challenge for many residents facing poverty and disabilities.

In Ashgabat, the official poverty figures are difficult to verify due to the Turkman government’s restrictions, but independent reports suggest there is a dire reality. While the city is well known for its glowing white marble staircases and golden statues, many residents struggle to afford basic necessities. Reports compiled in 2024 indicate that 47% of Turkmenistan’s working population lives in near poverty,” earning between $3.65 and $6.85 per day. For the disabled, the situation is far more concerning as they often face social isolation and a lack of accessible infrastructure. This correlates directly with sky high poverty rates. It is necessary to ensure that the city’s modern landscape includes all resident, regardless of physical or cognitive ability is a significant hurdle. Here is information about the implementation of inclusive employment in Ashgabat.

Bridging the Employment Gap

As part of this expansive transformation, a key shift away from the cycle of isolation for people with disabilities occurred. This transition to a market economy exposed a significant employment gap, leaving many people with disabilities unable to reach their work goals. This resulted in the group remaining largely excluded from the workforce in many sectors. While the situation appears negative, the Turkman government has taken strides in establishing a place for people with disabilities to find work and escape poverty. In 2008, the government under the leadership of the late President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the government signed the United Nations Convention of People with Disabilities. This move signaled a commitment to inclusive employment across the nation.

The Necessary Legal Protections

For the disabled residents of the nation, this was not just a symbolic gesture, it served as a key starting point for legislative reform. The government later added legal protections, including updating its social protection code to redefine disability as a social limitation rather than a medical one. The government also aimed to provide spaces for people with disabilities in the workforce and carve out specific opportunities for disabled people to gain jobs. This foundation supports Turkmenistan’s quest to create inclusive employment in Ashgabat, fostering a culture of inclusive employment regardless of physical or mental disabilities.

Support From Beyond the Government

While the government itself has made strides in helping disabled people access the workplace, many non-governmental organizations have also helped residents break the cycle of poverty. One of the most notable has been Yenme. At the end of 2022, Yenme received a grant from the United Nations to fund a new social program, “A World Without Gender Inequality.”  This program empowers women with disabilities through specialist training and vocational skills. To date, the program has directly impacted dozens of women, such as Gulnar a woman with dwarfism who gained financial independence through sewing training, contributing to a broader feeling of inclusive employment in Ashgabat. Currently, 75% of Yenme’s total beneficiaries are women and girls seeking to overcome societal barriers.

There have been significant strides to uplift the impacted people with disabilities in Turkmenistan aiming toward a goal of ultimate eradication in Ashgabat. The implementation of much-needed legal protections is paving the way for inclusive employment, offering significant hope that real change can be formulated in the country.

– Haydn Goodboy

Haydn is based in Massachuetts, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons