16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign in Tajikistan concluded with “Orange Ball” girls football tournament

The ceremony was officially opened by Ms. Zarrina Abdulmainzoda, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Women and Family Affairs under the Government of Tajikistan, Ms. Sezin Sinanoglu, United Nations Resident Coordinator, H. E. Marilyn Josefson, EU Ambassador to Tajikistan, Mr. Abdullo Soqiev, Head of Women Football League of Tajikistan, Ms. Tahmina Saminova, General Director of Rakhsh Taxi 3333 and Ms. Bonukhon Azimova, Deputy Director General of CJSC “Obi Zulol”.

The national futsal tournament named “Orange Ball” was conducted among girls aged 13 – 17 years old with a key mission to encourage more girls to engage in sports, particularly futsal, provide them with equal opportunities and break the gender-based stereotypes.

In the final match, Khatlon team won over J. Rasulov team (4-1) and became the winner of the Orange Ball tournament. Regar Tadaz team became a bronze-medalist winning over Farkhor team. A highlight of the event was a mobile theater show performed by Youth Peer Education Network volunteers, promoting  the idea of life free of gender-based and domestic violence.

Sezin Sinanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator highlighted in her opening remarks the following: “Today we celebrate the International Human Rights Day, and the theme is ‘’Equality”. We don’t have to all look the same, speak the same, act the same but we all should have the same opportunities, same chances in our personal and professional lives and same rights, regardless of who we are and what we do.”

 “At the national level, the futsal tournament among women’s teams was held for the first time and we can say that Spotlight Initiative in Tajikistan contributed to making a  history by establishing the national women's futsal tournament” noted Furkat Ahmedjanov, Director of Futsal League of Tajikistan.

A total of 224 girls, aged 13 to 17, participated in the tournament across the country and had the opportunity to perform at regional and national levels. All participants received  high quality athletic apparel kits and sports accessories to motivate them for further participation. Players with higher performance levels will have an opportunity to play for the Tajik National Team in the CAFA tournament in 2022.

Note: The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. Over 50 organizations of all types in almost every region of Tajikistan participated in the campaign in 2021 through more than 90 events of various type and scale, covering at least quarter a million people. This year’s campaign objectives were to facilitate dialogue and actions, change attitudes, reduce gender-based stereotypes and highlight the joint progress.

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 programme 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 using a multi-sectoral and intersectional approach.