In honour of World Population Day, celebrated annually on the 11th of July, the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Population Fund in Turkmenistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding. 

The document was signed by Maral Achilova, Chairperson of the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan, and Ronnie Lindstrom, UNFPA Country Director in Turkmenistan. Ronnie Lindstrom expressed hope that this partnership will allow the parties to jointly develop and implement programs that will have a long-term positive impact on the health and well-being of the entire population of Turkmenistan.

The memorandum is aimed at strengthening cooperation in the provision of social services and family support. The partners will actively cooperate with each other in the development and implementation of programs aimed at eliminating gender barriers and inequalities, empowering women and girls, and preventing gender-based violence. 

Joint work will be aimed at expanding access to social services, which include a helpline, psychological counseling, and social support as part of interagency coordination and response to gender-based violence.