WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY:
TAJIKISTAN

UNIFEM WOMEN, WAR AND PEACE WEB PORTAL: TAJIKISTAN

"We know that Jalozai [camp] is a closed door place. The Pakistanis do not want any more refugees there, or anywhere. Where should we go? From the time I opened my eyes in this world I have known only war."

A nineteen-year old Tajik refugee girl

"Women have played an important role in Tajikistan's civil society and women's groups have taken a lead in civil society conflict resolution efforts. Although Tajikistani women are not yet widely represented in government structures, they have been more successful in the voluntary sector: more than 35% of Tajik NGOs are headed by women. The leaders of many women's NGOs consider that the civil war was caused mainly by economic decline and low living standards, especially in rural areas where women do not traditionally work for money outside the home and are therefore dependent on wages of adult males. Many males were killed during the way, which increased pressure on women to provide for themselves and their dependents. The status of women in Tajikstan's society remains extremely low and their capacity for conflict prevention is under-utilized. Many women's movement leaders argue that the participation of women in political, economic and social life would help consolidate the peace process but only if the traditional mentality can be transformed. Consequently, most projects conducted by women's organizations aim to raise women's social status. Their strategies range from political lobbying to social development to addressing conflict on the family and community levels."

Parviz Mullojanov