Redefining Masculinity in Mary

Our story is about what masculinity is and what it means to be a man in the 21st century,how modern young men and young women change the social norms to advance gender equality, empowerment and human rights for all, including women and girls.

We would like to tell this story about Nedir, a 35-year-old sports coach from Mary velayat, represents a new generation of Turkmen men in Turkmenistan who are redefining what it means to be a man and what is masculinity. From his childhood Nedir Nedir viewed masculinity through a rigid lens: a man was a provider, a protector, and the sole decision-maker. As a sambo trainer at a local sports school, he lived in a world of physical dominance, teaching teenage boys that "masculine" meant being the strongest person in the room.

However, the seeds of change were planted the moment girls began walking into his gym. As he coached them to fight, control their emotions, and claim victory, his old beliefs began to crumble. He watched with immense pride as five of his female students rose to national and international levels in martial arts—traditionally a "man’s world." He realized then that strength and resilience have no gender.

Nedir’s transformation reached a turning point when he joined the "Youth, Sports and Gender Equality" initiative, a collaboration between the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Physical Culture and Sport and UNFPA, conducted as part of a UNFPA regional project funded by the UK government. This program gave Nedir a new vocabulary for the feelings he had been developing. He transitioned from a traditional coach to a social advocate, participating in workshops alongside trainers and volunteers from Ashgabat and Lebap. He sharpened his public speaking skills that allowed him to lead discussions on how restrictive social norms hold everyone back.

Today, Nedir teaches young men that true strength is found in partnership and respect, not superiority. He often frames gender equality as a team sport—a "win for everyone"— where a healthy society can only be built if every player is given an equal chance to succeed.

The most profound change, however, is not found in the gym, but in Nedir’s own home. The man who once believed in "traditional roles" now shares domestic duties and childcare equally with his wife. By prioritizing her rest and her goals, he discovered that a marriage based on mutual respect is far more stable than one based on hierarchy. For Nedir, washing the dishes or caring for his children isn't a loss of masculinity; it is an act of leadership.

Today Nedir remains convinced that a coach’s job doesn't end when the whistle blows. He believes that by involving men in the conversation about equality, he is helping to foster a society where both boys and girls have the same chance to realize their potential. To Nedir, being a leader means ensuring that his community wins together, built on a foundation of peace, respect, and shared progress. 

Currently the programme was scaled up to all 5 regions in the country. By engaging young athletes and coaches in the promotion of gender equality and volunteerism, the project has created a vital movement that continues to popularize healthy lifestyles and equal opportunities through the power of sport.