Women in Turkmenistan

Study of women's rights in the country is made difficult by government censorship and lack of reliable, official data.

Throughout the centuries, the territory of present-day Turkmenistan has been subjected to numerous civilizations, such as Persian empires, the conquest of Alexander the Great, Muslims, Mongols, Turkic peoples, and Russians.

[5] During the Soviet period, women assumed responsibility for the observance of some Muslim rites to protect their husbands' careers.

[6] Many women entered the work force out of economic necessity, a factor that disrupted some traditional family practices and increased the incidence of divorce.

Neighbours or relatives sometimes arrive unasked to assist in housework, or they may bring their own household tasks to work on together and socialize.

The wife may stop covering her head with a yaşmak after a year of her wedding, after the birth of her first born, or by a decision within the family.

[9][full citation needed] Women are garbed in ankle-length garments of silk or velvet, which are commonly a mix of bright oranges, purples, yellows, blues, and greens.

[11][full citation needed] Skilled Turkmen women use antique weaving looms known as tara, which were adopted in the ancient times.

Turkmen wedding dresses are often richly decorated and covered in silver-colored pendants which are believed to drive away evil spirits.