In anticipation of the cotton harvest season in Turkmenistan, the International Labour Organization (ILO) organized a three-month awareness-raising campaign to prevent child and forced labor. Approximately 1500 people in 35 etraps of the country participated in the campaign, according to an ILO press release.

Participants included representatives of local authorities, ministries, educational and health institutions, farmers' associations, employers' organizations and workers' associations, as well as other interested parties.

The initiative comprised 15 national and local events held from June 12 to August 12. The program included an introductory capacity-building seminar, 13 outreach events in velayats and etraps, and a final meeting.

These information sessions focused on how to recognize and prevent child and forced labor. Participants discussed the difference between light work permitted for children and child labor prohibited by Turkmen law, as well as the legal ban on involving children in the annual cotton harvest.

The events also discussed measures taken by the Government to eradicate and prevent the practice of forced cotton picking.

The information campaign was conducted jointly with members of the Working Group of the Interdepartmental Commission for Ensuring the Compliance with Turkmenistan's International Obligations in the Field of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and representatives of relevant ministries and government agencies.

The event was held with the financial support of the European Union.