Beijing+30 Youth Blog: “Changing our collective mindset is a gradual process”
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Being a young girl in Tajikistan means living under constant scrutiny, where every movement and mistake is judged. Our families often fear letting us go out alone or wear clothes that reveal a small part of our bodies.
When we talk about equality and women's rights, what are we truly asking for? We are demanding equal opportunities for men and women, not only in their careers but in every aspect of life. In Tajikistan, the fear of wearing what I want is restricted by two main threats: violence on the streets and online harassment.
My name is Anorabegim, and I'm a 14-year-old from Tajikistan. I am a member of the Young People Advisory Group within UNICEF, where we work together to create a sustainable world for youth and open up new opportunities globally. In this essay, I'd like to talk about the violence girls face in my country and share my personal experiences.
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action explicitly recognize and reaffirm the right of all women to control all aspects of their health, particularly their fertility, as fundamental to their empowerment. When we discuss health, we must also consider mental health, as emphasized in Sustainable Development Goal 3 on “Good Health and Well-Being”.
This focus on personal empowerment and health resonates with my own experience. A year ago, after posting an English tutoring video online, I received a direct message on social media. When I opened it, I was horrified to see a man’s words:
"You don't deserve to wear our national necktie; you look naked, and you are an easy girl without any pride; you should be dead."
I was stunned. This was the most traumatizing experience I had ever faced. The man even shared my picture on social media accounts that exist solely to shame girls for their clothing choices. In my country, people's opinions, no matter how harsh or unfair, carry significant weight. This culture of judgment hinders creativity and bright ideas. While there are efforts to address this issue, and I'm proud to be part of the youth movement pushing for change, I must confess that changing our collective mindset will be a gradual process. But we are committed to make it happen.
It is very crucial to introduce modern development guidelines for our youth and invest in our growth. The future lies in our hands. Enhancing the quality and availability of opportunities for young women’s development, both mentally and practically, is essential. Mental health is particularly important in our society where women are judged by their appearance and subjected to online harassment. Healing from such trauma is a challenging journey, as every word and action can leave a lasting scar.
To foster a sustainable and peaceful environment for women in Tajikistan and beyond, I propose several initiatives. First, I plan to establish a YouTube channel dedicated to self-improvement, offering guidance and support. Additionally, I intend to raise awareness about cyberbullying and harassment through storytelling reels on a new Instagram page. By working together, we can amplify our impact. Furthermore, I believe that social media platforms should systematically incorporate a dedicated section focused on violence and mental health awareness to engage and inform a broader audience. To complement these efforts, I propose creating online guidelines enriched with animations, providing essential guidance to internet and social media users. Online webinars will serve as interactive platforms for discussion and learning. By combining our efforts, we can empower women and girls and create meaningful, long-lasting change in our communities.
Anorabegim Sherzodova. Photo: Didor Sadulloev
Biography: Anorabegim Sherzodova is a 14-year-old freelancer and blogger from Tajikistan. She specializes in videography and reel creation, establishing herself as a young professional in the digital media sphere. Additionally, she volunteers with GoViral and serves on the Young People Advisory group within UNICEF, demonstrating her commitment to youth engagement and social impact. Her interests span various aspects of media production, content creation, and digital advocacy.
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This blog post is part of the Beijing+30 “Speak Youth to Power” series, and the opinions and views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of UN Women, the United Nations, or its Member States.