The hidden struggle: Abortion and reproductive rights in Turkmenistan

The Impact of Restrictive Reproductive Health Policies in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan's reproductive health policies have been widely criticized for their restrictive nature, which is seen as a major contributor to societal challenges. The country has experienced a steady decline in its population growth rate, reaching a low of 1.84% in 2023. This marks the lowest level since the post-Soviet era in the 1990s. A decade earlier, the growth rate was at 2.29%. In response, the government has implemented strict measures aimed at increasing birth rates, often at the expense of women’s rights and autonomy.

Access to reproductive health information remains limited within the country. Only about 47% of women use contraceptives, indicating a significant gap in reproductive healthcare. The legal framework surrounding abortion is particularly stringent. Since 2015, abortions are permitted only up to the fifth week of pregnancy, a timeframe that is too early for many women to even realize they are pregnant. This five-week limit is the shortest in the world, raising serious concerns about women's health and autonomy.

While the law allows for abortions on "social" grounds until the 22nd week and on "medical" grounds after that, the criteria for these exceptions are not clearly defined. Decisions on whether an abortion can proceed are left to state medical commissions, which are known to be hesitant to approve such procedures. This lack of clarity and support exacerbates the challenges faced by women seeking reproductive healthcare.

Aynabat Yaylymova, founder of the Progres Foundation, highlights the deep cultural stigma surrounding abortions and the resulting gender inequality. She emphasizes that without access to education, financial independence, and information, women are unable to make informed decisions about their bodies and lives. “They lack freedom, education, and financial independence. No one listens to them,” she states.

In practice, obtaining a legal abortion is extremely difficult. There are only 76 certified gynaecologists in a country with a population exceeding 7.4 million. Reports from 2024 indicate that officials have issued informal instructions to clinics to ban abortions. Doctors who perform abortions outside of the state framework risk criminal prosecution.

The restrictive laws also increase vulnerability, particularly for victims of domestic abuse. A report by a coalition of NGOs, published under the auspices of the UN Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), notes that unwanted pregnancies and denial of abortion can lead to further suffering and stigmatization. According to Amnesty International, one in eight women in Turkmenistan has experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner. A study by the UN Population Fund found that approximately one in three women who face such abuse resorts to abortion.

Despite the legal restrictions, abortions continue to be performed in significant numbers. The CEDAW report indicates that 83% of unintended pregnancies ended in abortion between 2015 and 2019. A medical professional in Turkmenistan reported performing 20-25 unofficial abortions monthly. However, statistics are often skewed to meet government demands, with distorted figures and reasons provided.

Many of those seeking abortions are uneducated housewives with multiple children. The burden of preventing pregnancy falls primarily on women, as men rarely use condoms. The cost of illegal abortions can reach up to $14,000, making them inaccessible for many women, especially in rural areas. As a result, some turn to dangerous alternatives.

Yaylymova points out that while there are no official reports of deaths from unsafe abortions, the economic and social impact is profound. Women from poor, uneducated, or large families suffer the most. The restrictive abortion regime, combined with limited access to education and job opportunities, leaves most Turkmen women economically marginalized.

The long-term consequences are severe. Women and girls born in the last 33 years are expected to fare worse than their Soviet-era mothers and grandmothers. The reality is grim: women and children remain the most vulnerable. Without meaningful reforms to reproductive health policies, the challenges faced by women in Turkmenistan will persist, perpetuating cycles of inequality and hardship.