Gender-based violence prevention and response project launched in Tajikistan

On 7 December 2022, a project entitled “Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention and Response in Tajikistan” was launched in the Shahritus District of Khatlon Oblast. The two-year project will be implemented by the UN Women Office in Tajikistan with financial support from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the US Department of State.

The project will contribute to protecting women’s rights, prevention and responses to gender-based violence by strengthening capacities and the provision of services, including by civil society and women’s rights organizations and shelters. It will also improve effective protection at the district level by making local protection mechanisms able to more effectively address violence against women and girls. The project will target 40 members of District Task Forces (DTFs), 12 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and 10,000 population/ beneficiaries in the districts of Shahritus district, Istaravshan district, Varzob district as well as in Dushanbe.

In her opening speech, Bridgette Walker, Chargé d’Affairs, a.i, for the United States said: “The US Embassy continuously supports the Government of Tajikistan in the promotion of gender equality and the current project, which will be implemented by our partner UN Women in Tajikistan, will have a focus on legislative reform to help in the creation of a fair society where everyone has equal opportunities and access to services.”

The launch event convened 50 participants from the Committee on Women and Family Affairs of the Government of Tajikistan, its departments at a district level, local authorities from the targeted districts, CSOs, gender activists, mass media and donor representatives, including Director and Programme Manager of the Bureau of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). Participants heard about the goal and objectives of the project and had an opportunity to strengthen networking and coordination among key stakeholders implementing the project, including to support civil society participation and partnership with the government on rule-of-law reform and reforms to reduce domestic and gender-based violence. 

The event was hosted by the Chair of Shahritus District, Jabbori Gaffor, who welcomed participants and underscored the importance of such a project to support women and girls. He highlighted the district’s willingness to provide constant support to implement the project and achieve good results.

Zarrina Abdumainozoda Qadamsho, Deputy Chair of Tajikistan’s Committee on Women and Family Affairs, further noted: “It is encouraging to launch this project on GBV Prevention and Response under the framework of the annual international 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign. Prevention of violence in family and society and the improvement of women’s lives is one of the main directions of the government’s strategy under the core attention of the President of Tajikistan. We believe that the new project will contribute to the implementation of Tajikistan’s law on the prevention of domestic violence .”  
The event concluded with a screening of videos on gender-based violence and theatrical performances by young volunteers from the Y-Peer network. The launch was also broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube.