Across cities and towns, Tajiks join forces against gender-based violence as part of the global 16-days campaign

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Series of radio programs launched in Tajikistan dedicated to 16-days campaign against gender-based violence

Live radio show with representatives of local CSO’s on the topic of gender-based violence and women rights, Dushanbe, 9 December 2020. Photo: UN Women/Guljahon Hamroboyzoda
Live radio show with representatives of local CSO’s on the topic of gender-based violence and women rights, Dushanbe, 9 December 2020. Photo: UN Women/Guljahon Hamroboyzoda

Radio Vatan, in cooperation with UN Women in Tajikistan, launched a series of informational radio programs as part of a global campaign. Every Wednesday for a month, beginning on November 25, gender experts, human rights defenders, psychologists and representatives of civil society organizations will be invited to talk live about gender-based violence and how to protect women's rights. The radio programs also include information about laws and safeguards for the protection of victims of violence, including shelters and help centers. During the radio shows, listeners are able to call in and share their stories and ask questions. A radio quiz is also planned at the end of the event.

Tajik bloggers launch challenge #orangetheworldtj on Instagram, as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign

Tajikistan Instagram campaign

Popular Tajik instabloggers @foz1lov (72,000 followers) and @sabrina_nazri_official (625,000 followers) shot a one-minute video against domestic violence and with it launched the #orangetheworldtj challenge on Instagram as part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign. The video is aimed at fighting gender stereotypes and violence against women.

In their posts and descriptions under the video, the bloggers urged young people to participate by making their own videos on issues related to gender-based violence, sharing how they understand and fight against gender inequality.

"With our video, we wanted to show young people that the rights and responsibilities of men and women are absolutely equal, and that we are against established stereotypes of men and women’s roles in society," Instablogger Ilkhom Fozilov said.

With a week of being launched, the video had been viewed 150,000, with 2,000 comments made.

UN Women in Tajikistan supported the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence in the regions and held a public information campaign

Participants of public information campaign dedicated to 16 days of activism against violence, Rudaki district, Photo: CSO “Mumtoz”/Rukhsona Shaobiddinova
Participants of public information campaign dedicated to 16 days of activism against violence, Rudaki district, Photo: CSO “Mumtoz”/Rukhsona Shaobiddinova

On December 1, a cultural and information event in the House of Culture of Rudaki district (Khatlon region) brought together a diverse range of people.

Under the slogan ‘Let's Make the World Orange’, the event included a theatrical performance on domestic violence, which was also broadcast on Facebook. In addition, representatives from civil society organizations working to protect women's rights held a discussion with event participants. The importance of actively engaging society in the fight against gender stereotypes and entrenched norms was also noted, while information about the 16 Days of Activism was shared. 

The event was organized by Mumtoz and Javononi Peshsaf in Penjikent city, together with the Department of Women and Family Affairs under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Rudaki district and UN Women Tajikistan.

Dushanbe hosted a national kickboxing championship, dedicated to the 16-days campaign against gender-based violence

A two-day national kickboxing championship, dedicated to the 16-days campaign against gender-based violence, was held on November 27-28 in Dushanbe. More than 400 people, including athletes, coaches and judges from all regions across the country, participated in the championship.

The event was organized by the National Taekwondo and Kickboxing Federation and UN Women in Tajikistan to support the international 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence campaign.

Through this initiative, athletes demonstrated their support for gender equality and expressed their intolerance to any kind of violence and discrimination. During the event, participants also received information about the campaign and took commemorative photos.

In Dushanbe buildings turned orange in a show of support for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign

International community in Dushanbe turned their buildings orange as a sign of support for the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign. Photos: UN Women/Guljahon Hamroboyzoda (on the upper left corner & right hand side); UN RCO in Tajikistan (on the lower left corner)
International community in Dushanbe turned their buildings orange as a sign of support for the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign. Photos: UN Women/Guljahon Hamroboyzoda (on the upper left corner & right hand side); UN RCO in Tajikistan (on the lower left corner)

This year, as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, more building across Dushanbe, the Tajik capital, turned orange than ever before.

UN Women's office in Tajikistan, the Sozidanie business center, was illuminated orange on November 25. Short slogans calling to unite against gender violence and messages about the start of the 16 Days of Activism campaign were displayed on the building in three languages (English, Tajik, Russian).

To demonstrate global solidarity and support for the campaign to end all forms of violence against women and girls, the offices of the United Nations, the European Union, the Swiss Development and Cooperation Office, as well as the British and German embassies were illuminated with orange lights.

Tajik men against violence and gender stereotypes!

In a new video, famous men from Tajikistan join the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign, calling for an end to violence against women and girls. The video features popular radio host Subkhon Jalilov, world powerlifting champion Tole Kholnazorov, artist Daler Mikhtojov, resuscitation doctor Sadullo Khakimov, psychologist Avrangzeb Isomidinov and football player Nuriddin Davronov. Aimed at fighting against gender violence and stereotypes, the video was jointly produced by UN Women in Tajikistan and the men themselves. Check it out here.