ISO: TKM
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The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth
World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women
Secretariat.
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AS WRITTEN


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                       Excerpt from Press Release.
  The written statement was not available in a scannable language at the
                time of presentation in the conference.
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   ABBAN REZAEVA, Deputy Chair of the Parliament of Turkmenistan:
Turkmenistan has been independent for four years now.  Internal political
stability, social harmony and the major economic resource potential all
provide the guarantees for strengthening its independence and strengthening
the State.   Turkmenistan adheres to the principles of positive neutrality.
There has been great support for the President's proposal to give
Turkmenistan the status of a peace-making centre in Asia.

   Women play an important part in all spheres of life in Turkmenistan.
 A high percentage of women are married, and there is a low level of
divorce and a high birth rate. The Parliament has developed a series of
laws concerning women as mothers and as workers. Pregnant women in
Turkmenistan are entitled to the earliest release for maternity leave of
any country -- from the twenty-eighth week of pregnancy, or earlier if they
work under difficult conditions. When there are birth complications, their
leave may be extended to 164 days. They need not return to the workplace
for three years, where they retain seniority and health benefits.

   The State is establishing real opportunities for women to work in any
economic branch, depending on their inclination and wishes. The problem of
illiteracy has been entirely eliminated.