United Nations in Tajikistan

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Tajikistan:

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Press Release

29 August 2023

UN Secretary-General’s "Early Warnings for All" Initiative launched in Tajikistan

The national consultation was co-chaired by the Deputy Prime-Minister of Tajikistan and the UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan with active involvement of the lead agencies of four pillars of the Early Warnings for All Initiative. Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan, Mr. Sulaimon Ziyozoda, inaugurated the event, highlighting its significance by stating that the Republic of Tajikistan attaches importance to climate change, disaster risk reduction and supports the call of the United Nations Secretary-General to protect everyone with early warning systems. He also noted: “Coordination of activities of different sectors and stakeholders, involvement of communities at risk, availability of favorable institutional and legislative environment, clear distribution of roles and responsibilities - all these are necessary to create effective and consistent early warning systems”. UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Parvathy Ramaswami said the launch of the Early Warnings for All initiative is “a crucial step forward in safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of Tajik communities from the impacts of climate change and other risks”, adding that “a whole-of-society approach involving all stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector, will be critical for strengthening and sustaining the early warning services in the country”. The representatives from relevant ministries, government agencies and development partners presented current advancements in implementing early warning systems in Tajikistan. They collectively identified challenges and prioritized strategies to expand the coverage, integration, and effectiveness of EWS. The participants also engaged into technical discussions, mapping and a comprehensive gap analysis exercise, drawing from prior assessments, to identify the critical gaps and priority needs for support across the four pillars, agreeing a coordination mechanism and development of an action plan in the initiative’s implementation. Tajikistan is faced with the frequent occurrence of natural hazards, such as avalanches, earthquakes, floods, mudflows, and landslides, with climate change further exacerbating their impacts. The Early Warnings for All initiative will build improved resilience to such risks in Tajikistan, with support provided across four interconnected pillars of EW4All: disaster risk knowledge; detection, observation, monitoring, analysis, and forecasting; warning dissemination and communication; and preparedness and response capabilities. Globally one third of citizens are still not covered by early warning systems. EW4All Action Plan was launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) held in Egypt in November 2022 for further investment across knowledge, observations and forecasting, preparedness and response, and communication of early warnings, with particularly priority placed on vulnerable communities.disaster risk The Early Warnings for All Initiative calls for a global effort to ensure that such systems protect everyone on Earth by 2027. Early Warning Systems, supported by preparedness and early action, are a proven, effective, and feasible disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation measure, that save lives and provide a tenfold return on investment. Yet, major gaps in early warning systems remain globally, especially when it comes to translating early warnings into risk-informed early action. Lead agencies of four pillars of the Early Warnings for All Initiative: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) World Meteorological Organization (WMO) International Telecommunication Union (ITU) International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

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Press Release

07 July 2023

Interview with Dr Markus Schefer, member of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Dr Schefer was invited to the country by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan within the framework of the global campaign to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. UN RCO: Dr Schefer, could you please tell us about yourself and the goal of your visit to Tajikistan? Dr Schefer: I am a member of the U.N. Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a professor of constitutional and administrative law at the University of Basel, Switzerland. This Committee consists of 18 independent experts from all over the world. We are elected by the State parties for four-year-terms. As independent experts, we do not represent the views of our home countries. We meet twice a year for a time between 3 and 5 weeks. Our main obligation is to monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the member states. UN RCO: Please tell us more about the status of ratification of the Convention globally and the work of the Committee. Dr Schefer: Today, 187 countries out of 193 UN member states have ratified the Convention; there are only a handful of countries that have not. Kazakhstan ratified it in 2015, and Uzbekistan in 2021. I have visited both countries and I was Rapporteur for Kazakhstan in the review process. In our work, we notice that it is crucially important that countries start a process toward implementation of the Convention, at whatever level they are. In this process, it is equally important to closely consult with organizations of persons with disabilities. They are in a position to identify where the most pressing issues are and what possible remedies may be. UN RCO: How many persons with disabilities live in the world and how effective are countries in addressing their needs and guaranteeing their rights? Dr Schefer: In general, we can assume that about 20% of any given population has a disability. For many, this is a surprisingly high number. We are surprised, because we usually do not meet many persons with disabilities in public spaces, be it in the streets, in schools, at work or in recreational activities. The main reason is that many persons with disabilities cannot participate, be it for lack of accessibility, lack of education, non-inclusion in the workplace or particular obstacles for political participation. This is what the CRPD is designed to remedy. UN RCO: In your opinion, when Tajikistan will be ready to ratify the Convention? Dr Schefer: Today, Tajikistan is ready for ratification. It is intensively working on many projects designed to implement the rights of persons with disabilities. Ratification would add crucial support to these efforts. Particularly the State party review process, in which our Committee issues recommendations to the State, provides guidance for further measures by the State. There is no threshold of implementation that would have to be achieved before ratification. The sooner a country ratifies the Convention, the clearer the path for the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities becomes. UN RCO: What are other important things a country needs to keep in mind to proceed with the ratification process? Dr Schefer: All across the world, I hear the argument that tight finances do not allow to take substantial steps toward implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities. This view overlooks the fact that there are many measures a State party needs to take that do not involve large expenditures. Walking around Dushanbe, I see a great many new buildings, including high-rises, being erected. If the proper accessibility standards are considered from the beginning of the planning process, rendering new buildings accessible will come at very little extra cost. This is a chance for Tajikistan; it allows the country to utilize its rapid economic development to substantially further the rights of persons with disabilities. I have also met many people who think that the Convention is solely about services for persons with disabilities. To be sure, it does contain many rights to services. But it is not confined to these rights. It also guarantees civil and political rights, such as the right to participate in political and public life, or the right to be free from inhuman and degrading treatment. Particularly political participation of persons with disabilities is of central importance for the peaceful development of any political system, as they represent a very large minority of about 20% of the population. UN RCO: What is the experience of countries which ratified the Convention most recently? Which challenges they experience? Dr Schefer: Implementing the Convention not only requires to change the laws and to implement them properly. It also requires, on a much more fundamental level, that society’s attitudes towards persons with disabilities change. That an impairment of a person is not seen as a medical aberration that renders the person less valuable, but that impairments are but one aspect of the great diversity of human beings. And that we value and cherish this diversity, as we do it in many other societal sectors. Such change takes time, and it does not occur on its own volition. Every single State party in whose review I have participated is confronted with many challenges, irrespective of its economic or political power. UN RCO: What would be your advice to the Government of Tajikistan in terms of the timing for ratification of the Convention? Dr Schefer: With all appropriate deference and humility, I would suggest that Tajikistan is ready for ratification. There is no need to wait, and there are no advantages of postponing ratification. As this year marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN will host a high-level event with participation of the Heads of States and Governments on 11-12 December in Geneva, Switzerland. This will be an opportunity for UN Member States to submit their pledges on transformative changes and progress in the cause of human rights. In this context, I would urge the Government of Tajikistan to submit a pledge on ratification of the CRPD as this is one of the two core human rights Conventions not ratified by the country yet.

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Press Release

19 May 2023

Tajikistan experience presented in the High-Level Meeting on the Mid-term Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction

President of the General Assembly Mr. Csaba Kőrösi, Deputy Secretary-General H.E. Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Ms. Mami Mizutori and Türkiye Earthquake Survivor Mr. Mustafa Kemal Kilinç addressed the opening of the event. During the meeting, the participants exchanged their views on the achievements in the implementation of the goals and objectives of the Sendai Framework, as well as the difficulties and gaps towards its implementation. The Republic of Tajikistan was represented by the Chairman of the Committee of Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan Mr.Bahodur Sheralizoda. He highlighted the importance of the implementation of the Sendai Framework in achieving the sustainable development goals of Agenda 2030 and informed about the measures taken by the country in the implementation of the Sendai Framework, including the adoption of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and its Midterm Program. Mr. Bahodur Sheralizoda also presented country’s experience and achievements on disaster risk reduction, mentioned priorities to be addressed and called on the international community and partners to enhance cooperation in this area. The high-level meeting provides a platform for Member States, the United Nations system partners and other stakeholders to reflect on the findings and recommendations of the MTR SF and formulate a forward-looking and risk-informed approach to more effectively address systemic risk. The meeting will adopt a political declaration to renew commitment and accelerate implementation of the Sendai Framework up to 2030.

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Story

25 July 2023

Empowering young people through remote working and digital skilling

In Tajikistan, UNICEF is supporting the development of demand-driven skills and the creation of remote employment opportunities for the most disadvantaged young people, through digital impact sourcing. "Today's young people need 21st Century digital skilling opportunities. They need the capacity to be creative and to develop innovative thinking. These skills are essential for young people’s employability in the future,"- Mavrigul Qosumbekova, founder of ‘Data Entry Center’ in Khorog, Tajikistan. Mavrigul Qosumbekova, 29, lives in Khorog city - home to around 32,000 people. Khorog city is one of the most difficult and remote areas in Tajikistan, with very few learning and employment opportunities for young people. But Mavrigul is changing the opportunity landscape in this region through digital impact sourcing. Enabler for a better employment of disadvantaged young people "When I was a teenager, I dreamed of starting my own business and helping people in my region by creating employment opportunities," recalls Mavrigul. Since 2017, Mavrigul has been running a local digital outsourcing company ‘Data Entry Center’, which provides more than 500 businesses based in the United States with data entry, customer relations management systems services and preparation of financial reports. Currently her startup company employs 45 young people from Khorog and other cities, with employees aged between 22 to 35. Before starting her own digital outsourcing company, Mavrigul helped set up the 'Pamir Innovation Hub' - a local NGO that aimed to create new employment opportunities for young people through training and networking with businesses around the world. “With the support of UNICEF and with funding from the European Union, we received IT equipment and training to help provide young people in Khorog with basic IT skills. We then connect them with potential employers through digital impact outsourcing," -shares Mavrigul. The ‘Pamir Innovation Hub’ is a platform to create employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people through innovative digital solutions. Through tailored training and networking, young people gain skills and opportunities for remote employment. “When we opened the ‘Pamir Innovation Hub’ we were confident it would bring positive results, as the needs in the region were huge and we were approached by many young people aspiring to study and work in the field of IT,”-says Mavrigul. Impact sourcing as a solution to address labor migration in Tajikistan amongst young people In Tajikistan, young people are the most vulnerable when it comes to education and the transition from school to employment. With over half a million young people in NEET (not in education, employment or training), 30 per cent of them live in Khorog. There is also a significant gender gap - young Tajik women are less likely to be in employment or education than young men: 49 per cent of women aged 15-24 compared to 7 per cent of men. UNICEF supported desk reviews and studies on marginalization and on the exclusion of adolescents and young people aged 10-24 years in Tajikistan confirmed that poor education – along with lack of opportunities for meaningful employment in the country once the young people leave school – drive high rates of mostly outbound migration among young people (females make up approximately 18 per cent of these migrants). These adolescents and young people are dissatisfied with the economic situation, quality of education and lack of decent work opportunities. Impact sourcing is a business practice whereby companies hire people from disadvantaged communities. Through impact sourcing, companies provide employment opportunities to individuals who may not have access to traditional employment opportunities. " I believe that digital impact sourcing is one of the most appropriate solutions to prevent the brain drain and migration of young people in our region as it brings a positive impact both on these young people and on the communities in which they live," says Mavrigul. Skills for employability in the rapidly changing world According to a 2018 report by the Institute for The Future (IFTF), 85 per cent of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven't even been invented yet. Given the rapid evolution of technologies and the global need for demand-driven skills, it is critical to ensure that the most disadvantaged young people learn the skills to compete in global markets and become economically resilient. In Tajikistan, to address the needs of young people, UNICEF launched the Impact Sourcing initiative, which aims at training young people in demand driven skills (such as ICT, web design and development, working with the accounting softwares, etc.) and giving them access to alternative employment opportunities by importing digital jobs to Tajikistan. The Impact Sourcing initiative, currently being implemented by the Pamir Innovation Hub (PIH) in the city of Khorog, in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Migration, is helping to create an industry of outsourced work that benefits young people like Sayod Muminshoev, one of Mavrigul’s employees. “Working in digital outsource has helped me in different ways. I now earn a decent wage. I also improved my skills, and I am financially supporting my family,” – said Sayod Muminshoev, 24, who has been working with Mavrigul for over five years now. As for Mavrigul, she has plans to expand her company's services and create another fifty job opportunities for young people in Khorog and beyond. We wish her luck and thank our donors and partners for investing in young people!

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Story

03 August 2023

In Tajikistan, supporting children with disabilities to stay in school

HISSOR, Tajikistan - Mohtobkhon, 16, is joyfully doing her homework. She is excited about the new school day and dreams of becoming a doctor, but this hasn’t always been the case. Mohtobkhon was diagnosed with osteoporosis at an early age, which causes a weakening of bones. A combination of physical and informational inaccessibility of mainstream facilities and transportation, including poverty and social stigma prevent children with disabilities from socializing, studying and inclusion into their community. All these barriers negatively impacted Mohtobkhon making impossible for her to attend the mainstream school. "My school has changed not only into a place where I can study, but it also makes me feel comfortable." - Mohtobkhon, 16 Globally, around one-third of young children and teenagers with disabilities face emotional and physical abuse, while 20 per cent experience neglect and 10 per cent suffer sexual violence. This increased vulnerability is due to a variety of factors, including social exclusion, communication barriers and insufficient information and support. Ensuring that children and teenagers with disabilities are able to exercise their rights - including their right to an education - is essential in combating this vulnerability. Opportunity to dream Over the past two years, the Spotlight Initiative in Tajikistan has aimed to create inclusive school environments by introducing student councils in 45 schools across target cities and districts. More than 1,000 students have joined these councils and each of them is trained in gender-based violence prevention, including the rights of people with disabilities. The Initiative has successfully implemented complaint mechanisms in schools to respond to and refer cases of violence among students. Combined with positive behaviour training for teachers, this has fostered respectful relationships among children. Following Spotlight Initiative support to Mohtobkhon's school, teachers, staff, classmates, friends and parents are now working hand-in-hand with the student council to ensure that Mohtobkhon gets the education she deserves. They help her to move around the school to classes and offer social support. Now that she is no longer afraid of being bullied, school has become one of her favourite places. "My school has changed not only into a place where I can study, but it also makes me feel comfortable. I don't notice how [long the day is as] time goes by quickly,” says Mohtobkhon. "Mohtobkhon and I have been very lucky,” adds her mother, Abdurahimova Dilafruz. “We have been given hope for the future. Our Mohtobkhon now believes that life is beautiful." Mentors: a source of light At each target school, a mentor is selected and trained to oversee programming. At Mohtobkhon’s school, Hiassar school no. 59, that mentor is her teacher Davlatov Boymuhammad. Mr. Davlatov believes that school is critical for developing social and communication skills – things children may miss out on if they are home-schooled. "Home-schooling usually starts in the afternoon, and teachers are exhausted by that time,” he says. “Sometimes the teacher fails to come [to the student’s house] because of competing administrative work.” However, he understands why some families choose this route. “[Many] children with disabilities can't just be taken to school [and left there],” he explains – many schools in Tajikistan do not have accessible infrastructure, especially those outside major cities. “Students have to be escorted between the classrooms and to the toilet, and have their physical condition monitored,” he says. “Many people opt for home-schooling because of these circumstances… Unfortunately, not every parent can handle [the demands of keeping their child in school].” “We have been given hope for the future. Our Mohtobkhon now believes that life is beautiful." - Mohtobkhon's mother, Abdurahimova Dilafruz Leaving no one behind Mr. Davlatov was critical in persuading Mohtobkhon's parents to support her return to school. “When Mohtobkhon was homeschooled, she missed her teachers and her classmates,” he says. “But most of all, she missed being able to interact with her peers and be part of a team." Today, Mohtobkhon attends school every day and is working towards her dream. “I enjoy being around friends who are always supportive and helpful,” she says. “I hope to become a doctor and be able to care for other people the way they care for me." Note: The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year partnership between the EU and the UN to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. The overall vision of the Spotlight Initiative in Tajikistan which will be implemented by December 2022 is that women and girls enjoy their right to a life free of violence. The funding of 5 million euros for the programme in Tajikistan will contribute to the elimination of sexual and gender-based violence by responding to the needs of women and girls and addressing the underlying causes of violence against women and girls, as well as developing the capacity to prevent and effectively address domestic violence and other forms of abuse, using a multi-sectoral and intersectional approach.

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Story

31 October 2022

Promoting a human rights-based approach to drug use prevention and treatment in law enforcement

UNODC, with the support of USAID and UNAIDS, and jointly with civil society partners, organized a series of trainings aimed at strengthening the collaboration of community-led organizations working with people who use drugs and law enforcement officers, as well as promoting the role of law enforcement in public health. The trainings were conducted by Ms. Zhannat Kosmukhamedova, UNODC Regional Adviser for Eastern Europe and Central Asia on Drugs/HIV, and Mr. Maram Azizmamadov, Director of NGO “Volunteer” in Tajikistan. According to WHO/UNAIDS estimates, the Eastern Europe and Central Asian region has one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in the world. People who inject drugs accounted for almost half of new adult HIV infections in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (48 percent). The situation is further challenged by the new trends in drug use where new psychoactive substances/stimulants amplify the risk of acquiring HIV among key populations and require comprehensive and innovative approaches which include the involvement of all relevant national stakeholders and place human rights at the forefront. Epidemics in the region are expanded in the face of serious legal and policy barriers, especially punitive laws, stigma and discrimination, insufficient resource mobilization and service provision for the most vulnerable populations. The problem originates in huge gaps in understanding what the needs of people who use drugs are and the stigma existing among healthcare workers, law enforcement and decision-makers. To address this gap, UNODC in Tajikistan promotes the strengthening of partnerships between health authorities, civil society, local communities and law enforcement agencies to support human rights and the health of people who use drugs and address drug and HIV-related stigma. The series of trainings were aimed at community empowerment to address the social, cultural, and political determinants that affect health and sought community-led organizations to build partnerships with other sectors in finding solutions. On 22-23 September, a training course “The role of law enforcement officers in drug use prevention and prevention of the spread of HIV. Referral scheme to prevention and treatment services” for mid-level and senior officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan took place. A total of 20 law enforcement officers from around Tajikistan, three CSO representatives and two health specialists took part in the training. The training aimed to highlight the importance of human rights-based policing approaches, especially with regard to key populations. During the training sessions, the participants learned about referral mechanisms to harm reduction and HIV prevention and treatment services, the use of alternative or non-custodial sentences for people who use drugs, discussed HIV and drug-related stigma and discrimination and the importance of the participation of law enforcement agencies in protecting public health, including through their systematic work with key populations, among others. Police officers have also improved their knowledge of HIV/TB/HCV transmission, harm reduction services and how law enforcement can positively impact key populations’ access to services. Between 22 August and 29 September, four more sensitizing workshops for CSOs and law enforcement agencies on cooperation for a better HIV and public health response were conducted in Dushanbe, Khujand, Bokhtar and Khorugh in Tajikistan, where a total of 30 civil society representatives and 67 law enforcement representatives took part. These two-day information workshops titled “Strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and civil society organizations in the context of drug use and HIV” directly focused on the dialogue of civil society and community-led organizations with law enforcement agencies, and on enhancing the civil society organizations’ capacity to advocate with law enforcement to ensure greater access to harm reduction services for people who use drugs. Sensitizing workshops resulted in the two sides developing the road map of joint activities at the local levels: CSOs are to participate in regular police meetings with the general community; police and CSO are to organize regular meetings to exchange relevant positions, concerns and ideas; CSOs are to develop an informational stand about the HIV/HCV/TB prevention and services that CSOs provide for key groups. “UNODC firmly believes that the partnership between law enforcement and health agencies and communities is vital to the effective HIV response since it curbs epidemics at the community level. The elimination of legal barriers to harm reduction depends on the level of competence of employees and personnel of ministries and departments, as well as their gender sensitivity. We are committed to extending our assistance to countries willing to build law enforcement bodies that are knowledgeable, responsive and willing to become agents of change and cohesion in the community,” noted Ms. Kosmukhamedova. The feedback received from the participants was very positive. They highlighted the importance of such partnership between law enforcement and civil society to ensure a more human rights-oriented and evidence-based national HIV response. Community-led trainings have been emphasized as essential for sustainable multi-sectoral partnership and trust-building and should be part of regular practice in designing and implementing national public health strategies.

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Story

19 August 2022

Story of Gulchehra Usmanova: dedication to saving lives as a source of motivation and inspiration

Gulchehra Usmanova has worked for WFP Tajikistan for more than 20 years and has contributed to the recovery and development of vulnerable people after emergencies and conflicts. She says that WFP has become more than a job for her, with the organization being like her family. "I joined WFP in 2000 and started working in our Field Office in Bokhtar, Khatlon region, when I remember looking for a job in the period after the 1992-1997 civil war and applying everywhere. It was a difficult time, and I was left alone with a baby in my arms, since my husband had died after the civil war. When I started working at WFP, we were initiating an emergency operation to assist 1.2 million people in rural areas through Vulnerable Group Feeding and Food for Asset Rehabilitation. The purpose was to rehabilitate agricultural infrastructure, assisting the country to alleviate the damages of civil war, so we distributed food aid to vulnerable people every quarter The impacts of the civil war were compounded by a drought, and people didn't irrigate or plant anything. As part of this program, we helped our returning civil war-era refugees who came back from Afghanistan in early 2001. In my 21 years with WFP, I have worked in different projects and, in 2001, even participated in the creation of WFP Tajikistan's largest operation, school feeding. "Our work saves lives" At that time, we worked on a lot of projects for women without husbands. I was going through a very hard time during the war, so it was very empowering for me to help war-affected women like myself to become more self-confident and find their way thanks to the support we gave through our projects. After eight years working in Khatlon region, I moved to the WFP Country Office in Dushanbe. When I started working in the Khatlon office it was not safe, it was turbulent after wartime, but it didn't scare me, I was brave to do my job without fear of anyone or anything. When you see that you save people, it's very motivating and inspiring. You see how people rejoice at your help and your work. and you realize that all is not in vain, which is why I love my job and have devoted 21 years of my life to it. The moment you walk around the fields and see broken and totally lost people, you realize that you can help them and it's motivating. Thanks to my work I have learned a lot, I can now safely work in any of our programs. And of course, my work has improved my communication skills, when people are lost and aggressive, and it is very important to find a common language with them and give the right help. “I break gender stereotypes with my example” I showed women by my own example that it is very important to develop and invest in your knowledge because it makes you self-confident and independent. Working in the Khatlon region and working with government agencies and institutions in the post-conflict time made me strong. My work has taught me to solve problems and help people specifically, not to panic and not know how to behave in a certain situation; I am now solving problems, learned to work under minimal supervision and although some men tell me that I am a fragile woman, it is far from that. I am trying to break stereotypes about women. WFP is about work, about saving people, saving lives, we primarily do everything to save lives, not to advertise our organization, our priorities are different. Right now, I'm working on a climate change adaptation and resilience (CCARB) unit. In our projects we try to make people more self-sufficient, not just give them help and forget about them. There was a time when I wanted to quit, but no, I stayed because I like my job and I enjoy saving people's lives. I even managed to work with refugees. We helped Afghan refugees recover from the conflicts in the early 2000s. Working in CCARB we noted that people often don't understand the importance of mudflows and water discharges. They and block them, and build houses in the place of irrigation ditches, then floods wash their houses away. It should also be noted that WFP has a very good partnership with governmental agencies and international organizations, this is very important to build a productive partnership with the state, as they are the main counterparts in implementation. I was a Gender Result Network member, and I conducted WFP gender sessions for WFP staff, partners, and beneficiaries. Even during the pandemic, we tried not to leave people without help and kept working. We went out to help people affected by the pandemic, distributed food, and provided other assistance. Sometimes there are stressful situations because you're afraid of missing deadlines for different types of activities or when you must learn something new. When stress comes up, and it's inevitable, especially in field work, the most important thing is to talk about it and help each other to deal with these situations. For me, WFP is a job I love, an opportunity, an opportunity to develop and help people who find themselves in a hopeless situation. Several years ago, I remember in the Qabodiyon district of Khatlon region, we were providing children with nutritional food and saving them from malnutrition under the Nutrition project. We were urgently contacted and told that stocks of specialty infant formula had run out at the time of our visit to one therapeutic feeding center, and that if feeding with this special formula was not provided, a baby there would die. The doctors said that there was no way to come and take the formula from one therapeutic feeding center to another, so I took it and rushed. I saw the child in a very bad condition. He was exhausted. I remember how he drank the formula and he got better. His mother seemed to come alive at that moment and she was so thankful for us. I remember her saying, "How nice of you to come". It really touched my heart, and I haven't forgotten that story. I have a dream to go and work in another WFP office in another country to share what I have learned in my more than 20 years here and of course learn from other offices. You get greater experience when you go to the field and work in the regions with affected people.

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A woman conducts market research in the food market

Story

28 July 2022

UNODC trains prison officers in Tajikistan

One of the important objectives of the staff of prison services is to contribute to public safety through safe, secure and humane management of suspects and offenders and the provision of opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration. Prison staff training is essential to enable them to mitigate potential threats in prison and find solutions on how to manage prison challenges at large. The UNODC’s approach to supporting the penitentiary system is underpinned by international norms and standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (The Nelson Mandela Rules). On 18 – 20 July 2022, UNODC conducted in Dushanbe (Tajikistan) a three-day workshop on training curricula for prison officers and the Nelson Mandela Rules. The workshop aimed to review the current training curriculum for prison officers and elaborate on the institutionalization of the UNODC’s e-learning course on the Nelson Mandela Rules into the regular training curriculum for prison officers. Twenty penitentiary system officers attended the workshop. “Capacity building is particularly important for prison staff working with prisoners convicted for extremism and terrorism. Improving the skills of our staff to organize work with these groups of prisoners more effectively is our priority. We are confident that today’s workshop allowing for an exchange of views on various challenges of the penitentiary system, will be useful for the participants, and will also provide the opportunity to develop recommendations for further cooperation and exchange of best practices,” said Mr. Furkat Akbarov, Deputy Head of the Main Directorate for the Execution of Criminal Sentences under the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Tajikistan in opening the workshop. “The work and focus dedicated to identifying and improving the curriculum by the UNODC team, in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice in Tajikistan, will deliver high-quality results and improve the ability of prison officers in Tajikistan to effectively and successfully work with foreign terrorist fighters and violent extremist prisoners,” said Ms. Bridgette Walker, Chargé d’Affaires, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe in her welcome remarks. “Beginning this workshop today, on Nelson Mandela Day, is no mere coincidence. The Nelson Mandela Rules - are a guiding light for the establishment of safe and humane prisons around the globe that properly rehabilitate and prevent individuals from reoffending. These rules provide a strong, principled foundation on which prison systems can best address the needs of the prisoners and the country’s security,” she added. The workshop was conducted in a hybrid format and provided theoretical and practical sessions. The sessions were delivered by Torben Adams, Shah Salman Khan, Jörg Lorenz, Batyr Saparbaev, and Myrzabek Tuiganov - international experts with extensive experience in criminal justice, human rights and security, prison system management, training prison staff and curriculum design. Mr. Torben Adams, UNODC International Programme Coordinator, thanked the Government of Tajikistan for its commitment to the joint Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters Detention Programme in the country and all related initiatives. He also expressed gratitude to the U.S. Government for the financial support that enabled to work in partnership on the important topics of security and safety in prison, and on rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners. “In our joint mission to ‘leave no-one behind’, we must not forget prisoners and those who are tasked with their custody and care. On Nelson Mandela Day, we are sending a strong message to that effect – a message which reiterates the need to ensure continued human rights compliance behind bars and which reiterates that treating prisoners in line with their human dignity and effectively preparing them for their release is an essential contributor to public safety and the cohesion of societies,” he noted. During the workshop, the participants learned about the Nelson Mandela Rules, national and international training curricula for prison staff, core competencies required for prison staff working with violent extremist prisoners and foreign terrorist fighters, special needs of women violent extremist prisoners and juveniles recruited and exploited by violent extremist groups. They also acquired knowledge and skills in the process of curriculum design and the related management techniques in some jurisdictions with an emphasis on the DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) method. They had a dedicated discussion on the selection and recruitment process for staff working in prison, and on the induction and advanced training which should be offered for staff working in prison. On the last day of the workshop, the participants made recommendations on the design, delivery and institutionalization of an in-service training curriculum for prison officers dedicated to the management of high-risk prisoners, including terrorist and foreign terrorist fighters prisoners, and put forward suggestions on the institutionalization of the UNODC’s e-learning course on the Nelson Mandela Rules into the regular training curriculum for prison staff in Tajikistan. Upon completion of the workshop, the participants were awarded certificates. They thanked UNODC and trainers for the high quality of the workshop. The workshop was conducted under the UNODC Global Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters Detention Programme and the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022-2025. The UNODC Global Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters Detention Programme is funded by the Counterterrorism Bureau of the U.S. Department of State. The programme in Tajikistan aims to enhance the national capacity to manage threats posed by foreign terrorist fighters through technical assistance to law enforcement, corrections, and justice sector agencies consistent with relevant norms of international law.

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Press Release

07 September 2023

United Nations Supports Discussion of the Human Rights Strategy Implementation

More than 60 participants, including government representatives, civil society activists and international partners discussed the implementation of the recently adopted National Strategy for Human Rights Protection. In his opening remarks, Mr. Umed Bobozoda, the Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that “the National Strategy on the Human Rights Protection links all existing and future action plans aimed at implementation of the recommendations of UN human rights mechanisms”. “The Strategy and its action plan are an important tool for realization of the unified policy of Tajikistan in the area of human rights”, he added. Mr. Firuz Orzuzoda, Head of the Department of the Human Rights Guarantees of the Executive Office of the President of Tajikistan highlighted that 142 action points of the Strategy cover practically all human rights areas. He also explained that its monitoring and evaluation will be done jointly in consultation with civil society. Pavlo Byalyk, Human Rights Advisor in Tajikistan, speaking on behalf of UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan, Ms. Parvathy Ramaswami, welcomed the adoption of the Strategy and stressed that while a policy and legal framework is important for human rights protection, it has to be complemented with the strong national human rights protection system, independent judiciary as well as political environment, conducive to the functioning of civil society. He also urged the Government of Tajikistan to make public pledges to ratify remaining human rights treaties, including CRPD and OPCAT, as part of the UDHR75 campaign. The Ambassador of the European Union to Tajikistan, H.E. Raimundas Karoblis recalled that the adoption of the National Strategy was an important recommendation from the HRC Universal Periodic Reviews of Tajikistan. At the same time, the existence of the National Strategy is an important step in view of Tajikistan’s ambition to join the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). “While the adoption of the National Strategy is an important starting point, a thorough implementation remains essential to further advance human rights in Tajikistan”, the Ambassador emphasized. During the roundtable, participants also discussed the Strategy and its action plan with focus on juvenile justice, equality and non-discrimination, rights of persons with disabilities, right to fair trial and due process as well as cooperation of authorities and civil society on human rights. All thematic discussions contained statements from both representatives of authorities and civil society organizations, who acknowledged their good and successful cooperation.

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Press Release

15 June 2023

Textbook writers of Tajikistan sensitized on gender-responsive textbooks and learning materials development

The workshop was attended by the representative of respective government line ministries, civil society organizations and national experts: textbook authors’ teams and STEM teaching and learning materials developers. The workshop aimed at providing support to the working group responsible for curriculum and textbook development, with a focus on reviewing national curriculum framework, subject standards for physics, chemistry, and biology, as well as teaching and learning materials through a gender analysis tool. The purpose of the tool is to assess the level of gender sensitivity integrated into the selected STEM textbooks as well as teaching and learning materials. More than 35 national experts enhanced their understanding of gender concepts, gender equality in and through education, and improved skills for mainstreaming gender equality in STEM curricula, textbooks, and teaching and learning materials. About the project The UNESCO project “Strengthening competency – based and ICT – enabled STEM and VET education and teacher – training in Tajikistan” funded by the European Union under the Action Document "Quality Education Support Programme II" is aimed at designing textbooks, teaching and learning materials for selected STEM subjects based on competency-based curricula at the secondary education and VET level, training of teachers as well as equipping the teacher training institutes/centers in the areas of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and STEM. For more information regarding the project, please contact: Ms Aizhan Kydyralieva, Project Coordinator, UNESCO Almaty, a.kydyralieva@unesco.org.

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Press Release

31 May 2023

Authorities and civil society in Tajikistan highlight multiple models of their cooperation and discuss lessons learned and the way forward

The Department of the Human Rights Guarantees of the Executive Office of the President of Tajikistan in cooperation with the OHCHR and NGO “Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law” (the Bureau), with the support of the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Dushanbe, held a seminar “Models of cooperation between state bodies and NGOs in Tajikistan”. The seminar aimed at discussing key findings of the research on the same subject held earlier in 2023 by the Bureau and supported by the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan. In his opening remarks, Pavlo Byalyk, Human Rights Advisor in Tajikistan, noted the importance for authorities in Tajikistan to strengthen existing and create new channels of participation for civil society in the processes of policy and decision-making through building partnerships based on trust and professionalism. “The research held by the Bureau demonstrates how much diverse and useful work has already been done by NGOs in cooperation with national and local authorities in Tajikistan”, he continued. Madina Usmanova from the Bureau, who led the research on models of cooperation between authorities and civil society, explained that the initiative was dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights as civic space is a red thread that binds together all human rights proclaimed in the Declaration. During the seminar, its participants discussed the findings of the research, presented various models of partnerships between state bodies and NGOs as well as highlighted successes and results achieved. In the break-out group discussions, representatives of authorities and civil society identified the ways to strengthen their cooperation as well as outlined key thematic issues to be addressed by such cooperation. The seminar was attended by representatives of the Parliament, Ombudsman Office, Supreme Court administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment, Committee on Women and Family Affairs well as NGOs from Dushanbe, Bokhtar and Khujand. Note: the above-mentioned initiative is a part of the UN’s actions within 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a foundational blueprint for taking concrete actions to stand up for human rights and tackle pressing global issues today. In 2023 the world marks 75th anniversary of UDHR. The UN is commemorating this important anniversary with a year-long campaign to raise awareness and promote the Declaration and what it means for humankind. The campaign will have three main goals that focus on universality, progress and engagement under the leadership of UN Human Rights.

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Press Release

31 May 2023

Official opening ceremony of the sewing workshop in Vahdat, established in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry, UNIDO, UNHCR and private sector company “Nohid”

Speaking at the event, Mr. Mulugeta Zewdie, UNHCR Representative, said – “First and foremost, let us take this occasion to thank the government of Tajikistan for hosting refugee communities and providing support to them in accessing employment opportunities. Through this collaboration, both host communities and refugees benefit and contribute to the local economy..” In similar collaborations, UNHCR has been able to implement projects that benefit both the local population and refugees. Refugees bring with them traditions, entrepreneurial spirit, skills, knowledge, and craftsmanship, and only need a chance to grow and flourish. “As part of the cooperation with UNHCR, employment opportunities for representatives of vulnerable social groups, such as Afghan refugees, were generated. Earning income is crucial for refugees as it helps to rebuild their lives, regain their dignity and re-establish their independence while they are uprooted from their homelands.”, said Ms. Sarvinoz Junaidova, UNIDO national technical coordinator. UNHCR has been present in Tajikistan for 30 years, working closely with the government to protect and assist refugees. Through collaboration with a wide range of government, development partners, UN sister agencies, and private sector, UNHCR has been able to ensure meaningful, effective, and quality support to the Government of Tajikistan.

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