Prostitution in Turkmenistan is illegal but common. Prostitution has increased within the country since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Poverty is one of the reasons women have turned to prostitution, sometimes under pressure from family members. Prostitutes frequent bars, casinos and nightclubs, some are addicted to heroin. In Daşoguz, a major truck stop, many 'night butterflies' service the truck drivers in the overnight truck parks. Law enforcement is corrupt. Police target foreigners who are with prostitutes, telling them it is illegal for two unmarried people of opposite sexes to be in the same hotel room, and then asking for a "fine". During police crack-downs, any single woman in a nightclub when raided is likely to be arrested as a prostitute. Sex trafficking is a problem in Turkmenistan.
Legislation
Turkmenistan's Criminal Code contains the following articles criminalising prostitution and related activities: Article 138. The practice of prostitution Article 139. Enticement into prostitution Article 140. Setting up or keeping of a brothel Article 141. Procuring Article 142. Pimping
VIP entertainment
Under the presidency of Saparmurat Niyazov, a form of state prostitution was introduced. Good looking high school and university students were sent from the provinces to the capital, Ashgabat, to be trained to 'entertain' high-ranking officials and VIPs. The students were chosen by local female officials. They had to be between 17 and 20, be tall, slim and have good hair and teeth. Once chosen, there was no refusing the 'honour'. Originally they could be of any ethnicity, but later only “pure-blood” Turkmen females were chosen. Once in Ashgabat, they were trained in etiquette, polite manners, to set tableware and serve dishes. Those who didn't make it as a "body" were used to service lower ranking officials at functions.
Sex trafficking
Turkmenistan is a source country for women, and children subjected to sex trafficking. Turkmen women are subjected to sex trafficking abroad. Turkey, Russia, and India are the most frequent destinations of Turkmen victims, followed by other countries in the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and Europe. Residents of rural areas in Turkmenistan are most at risk of becoming trafficking victims, both within the country and abroad. Article 129/1 of the criminal code, as amended in November 2016, defines trafficking in persons as acts done by force, fraud, or coercion, but it does not appear to include in its definition the purpose of the crime, which is exploitation. It also exempts trafficking victims from criminal responsibility for acts committed as a result of being trafficked. Article 129/1 prescribes penalties of four to 25 years imprisonment. Women under 35 are restricted from flying to Turkey or United Arab Emirates in case prostitution is involved. The United States Department of StateOffice to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons ranks Turkmenistan as a 'Tier 3' country.
