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 October 2023

Tajikistan is reforming Primary Health Care to reach Universal Health Coverage

Tajikistan is transforming its health system to accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). For the last two decades, the country has been undertaking significant reforms to shift towards a Primary Health Care (PHC) approach with a strong family medicine focus conducive to strengthening the health system to attain its objectives of 'health for all'. Putting PHC at the centre Tajikistan's transition from a highly centralized healthcare system to PHC began with legal reforms to establish new financing mechanisms to increase health spending and improve financial protection for the population. The Tajikistan government has, as a result, progressively increased funding for primary care services, resulting in higher government health spending and an overall increase in public health spending as a percentage of GDP.1Health financing reforms are underway to provide a more comprehensive and unified approach to healthcare financing, fostering a move from input-based resource allocations to strategic purchasing of primary healthcare services. Progressively increasing public resources available for PHC is pivotal to improving communities’ access to essential healthcare services. Improving the demand for and access to primary care services is another crucial aspect of Tajikistan's transition. The country is shifting from a system heavily reliant on hospital-based secondary and tertiary care towards primary care and public health, increasing the portion of their public health budget allocated to PHC, rising from 34.6% in 2010 to 40.7% in 2022.1 As a result, the number of PHC visits per person has been rising steadily from 4.8 in 2010 to 7.6 in 2022.2 To further improve access to essential health services, especially to the poorest and most vulnerable households, Tajikistan is also revising the Basic Benefit Package (BBP), using a phased implementation starting with priority groups alongside additional co-payment arrangements. As of 2021, the BBP covers 33.1% of the Tajikistan population,2 with ongoing efforts to expand coverage and harmonise different co-payment and fee-for-service arrangements to reduce financial barriers to healthcare. Tajikistan has also made strategic investments to improve the organisation and strengthen the quality of primary care services. These investments are aimed at reducing the fragmentation of services by incorporating established vertical health services under a unified PHC structure within the framework set by the National PHC Development Master Plan. Medical and nursing education changes have been implemented to bridge human resource gaps in family medicine doctors (FMDs) and nurses (FMNs) to provide essential primary care services. The proportion of primary healthcare institutions practising family medicine principles has increased from 56% in 2010 to 88% in 2022. Between 2010 and 2022, the number of doctors who have had family medicine training increased from 271 (4.4%) to 4597 (82.3%), with the number of nurses also increasing from 327 (3%) to 9669 (73.4%).1 Accelerating progress through collaboration Collaboration has been crucial in supporting Tajikistan’s PHC reforms. In 2019, Tajikistan joined the SDG3 Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All (SDG3 GAP) as a pilot country, focusing on PHC and sustainable health financing to accelerate progress to achieve the health-related SDGs. The collaboration involves 13 humanitarian, development, and health agencies. These agencies and other partners, among them USAID, have increasingly supported Tajikistan through collaborative approaches that leverage their respective strengths and expertise. The main partner coordination platform is the Development Coordination Council (DCC) health. It fosters dialogue, coordination and joint implementation between partners and Tajikistan's government agencies. It also facilitates information exchange, agreements on collective outcomes and coordination, in alignment with Tajikistan's National Health Strategy 2021-2030. Under its auspices, opportunities for joint advocacy and the development of a common vision, exemplified by a joint position statement on strengthening PHC in 2022, are made possible. The statement was endorsed by all key development partners and signed personally by the Minister of Health of Tajikistan. In September 2023, the Head of the Department of Health Reforms and International Relations at the Ministry of Health presented the key priorities for improving PHC to SDG3 GAP focal points through the PHC Accelerator (PHC-A) working group. The dialogue identified areas to strengthen PHC, such as revising regulatory documents, enhancing management skills, implementing a Districts of Excellence PHC model, and modernizing emergency medical services. To date, partners from various sectors have joined forces to implement Tajikistan's National Health Strategy 2021-2030. This collaborative effort involves shared funding and initiatives towards PHC reforms. Notably, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, in conjunction with the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents (GFF), have taken a lead role in developing a Prioritized Investment Plan (PIP). This plan, created in close cooperation with all partners, serves as a roadmap for implementing the 2030 National Health Strategy. Within the PIP, clear details regarding the costs of priority activities and investments have been outlined for the next three years, allowing development partners to align their programs and investments in the healthcare sector. Simultaneously, the World Bank and the GFF are actively supporting a government investment plan, spearheaded by Tajikistan's Ministries of Finance and Health. This investment plan places a significant emphasis on strengthening PHC and aims to contribute to the objectives set forth in Tajikistan's National Health Strategy 2021-2030. Collaboration extends to the joint implementation of PHC reforms as well. For instance, the European Union (EU)-funded Health Development Program, implemented by WHO, UNICEF, and GIZ, is strengthening health-sector governance, financing, and access to quality integrated primary care services. WHO, the GFF and the World Bank work closely together to support the Government in implementing critical health financing and service delivery reforms to improve the efficiency of PHC. WHO is supporting the piloting of strategic purchasing of PHC services, while the World Bank’s new Project, the Tajikistan Millati Solim Project, will scale up these reforms. Further instances of collaborative efforts include UNICEF’s partnership with the Asian Development Bank for the Maternal and Child Health Integration Project, and the collaboration between the Swiss Government and the EU to enhance public finance management. Monitoring for sustained PHC improvement Tajikistan’s journey towards its PHC goals is yet confronted with key challenges, notably the need for increased per capita spending for more effective primary care, addressing the growing burden of out-of-pocket expenditure, and fully integrating vertical programs into primary care. To sustain current momentum in addressing these key challenges, SDG3 GAP partners have piloted a monitoring framework on their joint efforts in countries including Tajikistan. This framework aims to encourage ongoing government feedback, enabling continuous improvements in their coordinated support to government to align better with national priorities, plans and coordination mechanisms and systems. In 2022, the government of Tajikistan reported successful collaboration practices within the national COVID-19 response and partners aligning their support with national plans, with increased donor funding alignment to budget priorities. The government also highlighted partners’ increased use of local monitoring systems and improved joint technical assistance. The government recommended further improvements in their feedback, including enhancing coordination within the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, strengthening the DCC health platform, and developing a unified resource mapping tool to prevent duplication. In response, partners have introduced new coordination mechanisms, including the new technical subgroups, to enhance coordination within the DCC health platform. To further improve quality, Tajikistan is using a data-driven approach to accelerate progress in primary healthcare and other priority health areas, through the WHO Delivery for Impact 100-day challenge. As a pilot country on this challenge, the government of Tajikistan is using data to identify priority areas and develop joint delivery plans, building on the collaborative structures established. Tajikistan government’s strong political will and stakeholder collaboration continues to drive progress toward UHC via PHC. What is the SDG3 GAP? The Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Wellbeing for All (SDG3 GAP) is a set of commitments by 13 agencies that play significant roles in health, development, and humanitarian responses to help countries accelerate progress on the health-related SDG targets. The added value of the SDG3 GAP lies in strengthening collaboration across the agencies to take joint action and provide more coordinated support aligned to country owned and led national plans and strategies.

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Story

10 October 2023

WHO: Providing healthcare at -45° C - Tajikistan’s heroes of the high plateau

This story was originally published on the website of WHO on September 11th, 2023. Remoteness, harsh weather conditions, poor road conditions and virtual isolation from the rest of the world. This is the reality for the inhabitants of the Murghab plateau, the second highest plateau in the world located in eastern Tajikistan. During the winter, temperatures drop to -45° C in Murghab town, or even to -60° C in some other parts of the region. For health workers, it is not easy to provide care under these conditions, and many medical students may decide to not return to their native region after their studies. However, those who do return to Murghab prove to be some of the most dedicated health workers imaginable. Amid a nationwide supplementary immunization campaign with the measles and rubella (MR) vaccine focused on closing immunization gaps and stopping an ongoing measles outbreak in the country, WHO’s team visiting Murghab had the opportunity to meet with two of the health workers implementing the campaign. Nurse Yunus and doctor Abdimanap serve their communities every single day, at an altitude of nearly 4000 metres above sea level. This is their story. Nurse Yunus, Karakul village, Murghab district Nurse Yunus serves each of his guests a bowl of kurut, a dried yogurt product made from yak milk. Hospitality is extremely important in the local culture, and while seemingly calm, his eyes reveal a certain degree of nervousness. After all, the small settlement which he has called home all his life is one of the most remote places in the entire country of Tajikistan, and he didn’t expect to have afternoon tea and lunch together with a team of WHO experts... Planning visits is not easy: to reach the village of Karakul from Tajikistan’s capital city, Dushanbe, WHO’s team has travelled three full days, driving on challenging roads. Having poured his guests some tea, Yunus settles back down on the tapchan, a traditional piece of elevated furniture covered with lightweight quilts, on which the afternoon meal is served. The conversation begins to flow, and Yunus slowly starts to feel more relaxed. At an altitude of 3900 meters, it can get cold in Karakul. Very cold. Strong gusts of wind make a warm jacket a necessity, even during the summer months. 762 people live in the village, but during summer, the village is mostly empty. The population of Karakul village is nomadic and moves around the vast valley to allow their livestock to graze, preparing for the harsh winter to come. After lunch, Yunus walks the WHO visitors to the small health house in the center of the small town which he manages with one other family nurse. Before giving his WHO guests a tour, Yunus puts on his nursing outfit, carefully buttoning up the blue coat and placing the freshly pressed blue nurses’ hat straight on his head. The health facility’s two rooms contain most of the essential equipment Yunus needs. Exam tables, a scale, mobile handwashing station, an eye chart and a refrigerator in which Yunus stores the MR vaccine vials recently delivered for the campaign. Yunus and the WHO team discuss the nationwide immunization campaign, which has reached Murghab. With pride, Yunus explains that all the younger children in the village already have been vaccinated with the MR vaccine, in line with the national vaccination schedule. Now those living even more remotely need to be reached. The task isn’t as simple as it sounds: Yunus regularly crosses the rough terrain by bike or car to provide care to those who are living in yurts and small houses in other remote parts of the district, tracing down children who have not yet been protected by the vaccine. “It is difficult here during the winter months”, Yunus explains. “It is cold, and the wind makes it hard to go outside. But we have to. It’s not only about vaccines – people get sick more often during the winter, and sometimes call us during the night. We are the only ones they can call, and we have to help them around the clock. It is a tough job to do, but it has been my childhood dream to have a medical education. I always knew I would come back to work in the village where I grew up. It is my duty to serve the people from Karakul”. Dr. Abdimanap, head of the primary healthcare facility in Murghab town A decorated teapot is kept warm on the little wood stove in Dr. Abdimanap’s office. It is summer now, so the wood stove is used mainly for tea. During the winter however, the stove is indispensable to keep the office warm. Outside of the office, a baby is crying. The hallway is filled with parents, grandparents and their small children. They have all come to the primary healthcare facility in Murghab to get their children vaccinated against measles and rubella. Patiently, he gives instructions to the health staff to manage the large flow of patients, one family at a time. Dr. Abdimanap studied in Dushanbe to become a surgeon but had to return after a few years to his native Murghab in order to support his family. He now lives in Murghab town, which with its 6000 habitants constitutes the largest settlement in the eastern part of the Gorno-Badakhshan region in Tajikistan. Conditions are harsh. During the winter, the main road is often blocked for days at a time, isolating Murghab from the rest of the country. It can be -45° C in Murghab town, or even colder in some of the nearby villages where Dr. Abdimanap works. After a general health check-up, the children in the facility are invited in with their parents for the vaccine. From personal experience, Dr. Abdimanap acutely understands its importance. “This immunization campaign is crucial. I myself got sick with measles as a child. I hadn’t been vaccinated, and I fell very ill. . This is why I want to protect all children in Murghab from illnesses that can so easily be prevented”. According to Dr. Abdimanap, there are people in Murghab who have concerns about vaccines, ranging from fear of side-effects to superstition or religious beliefs, and these concerns sometimes stop families from coming in for the routine vaccination. The health staff do their best to explain the benefits of the vaccine and to gain the trust of the population, also working together with local religious leaders to counter any misinformation. Leading by example is another important strategy, Dr. Abdimanap explains. “I myself have four children. I vaccinated each of them. This showed the community that we can be trusted and we’re here to protect them.” Conditions have improved significantly in Murghab since Dr. Abdimanap returned some fifteen years ago, initially working without electricity. The primary healthcare facility is in good shape, allowing the doctor and his staff to provide essential health services to the entire population of Murghab. This includes immunization, despite the geographical challenges. “People here are nomadic and can stay very far away from our town. However, we know exactly in which gorge they are staying, and we remain in close contact with them. We overcome the geographic barriers with mobile brigades. Sometimes, they travel as far as 70 kilometres to immunize just a handful of children.” Working on Murghab plateau is not just any job, it’s a mission.

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Karakul village, one of the most remote villages in Tajikistan

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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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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Press Release

29 November 2023

Tajikistan renews costed State Programme on Reproductive Health

The US$4.1 million programme is aimed at enhancing the accessibility, quality, and efficiency of reproductive health and family planning services, with a focus on the most vulnerable citizens, who make up over 75 per cent of the population and mostly live in rural areas. The Government has allocated some US$740,000 for the programme from the state budget, with the remainder expected to come from international organizations, the private sector and other sources. “Investing in reproductive health and family planning is one of the most cost-effective strategies for sustainable development,” said Dr. Zulfiya Abdusamatzoda, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of Tajikistan. “People can plan their families with quality sexual and reproductive health information and services based on their values and personal circumstances.” Although the contraceptive prevalence rate increased from 19.5 per cent in 1995 to 29 per cent in 2017, according to official statistics, this remains the lowest rate in Central Asia. The programme will be implemented by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection with support from UNFPA and other partners.

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Press Release

09 November 2023

Dushanbe City launches the Voluntary Local Review process

The VLR was launched by Mr. Ashurboy Solehzoda, 1st Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mr. Abdurahmon Abdurahmonzoda, Deputy Mayor of Dushanbe city and Mr. Lenni Montiel, UN Resident Coordinator a.i/UNDP Resident Representative. The organization of this event was supported by the UN Habitat within the framework of UN DA T14 project, UN Resident Coordinator Office in Tajikistan and UNDP. The round table was attended by the key official of Dushanbe Mayor’s Office, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, other state institutions and UN entities. During the launch event a global methodology of the VLR preparation, concept note and the action plan on preparation and presentation of the Dushanbe city VLR were presented and discussed. The overall VLR process will be curated within the project by UN-Habitat, UNECE, UNDESA, and UCLG that aims to support cities of Dushanbe, Tbilisi, Nis, and Bishkek in their VLR development to global and regional advocacy, learning and capacity building while creating opportunities to strengthen the multilevel governance arrangements. Dushanbe will be the first city of Tajikistan to directly report to the United Nations on local progress toward the advancing Sustainable Development Goals. Modeled after the Voluntary National Review (VNR), which was presented by Tajikistan in 2023 at the HLPF, Dushanbe VLR will be officially presented in 2024 during the World Urban Forum to be held in Cairo, Egypt. In 2015, UN Member States adopted “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” (known as Agenda 2030) resolution comprising of 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets as a plan of action for people, planet, and prosperity. The member states report their progress towards the achievement of the Goals through a Voluntary National Review (VNR) to UN’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF). Local and regional governments are at the forefront of implementing solutions to advance sustainable development. In their sustainability efforts, a growing number of local and regional governments are using Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) as a valuable policy tool to structure the localization, planning, execution, and follow-up and review stages of SDG implementation. Since 2018, almost 200 local and regional governments have conducted a VLR process. A Voluntary Local Review enables cities and regions to localize the Sustainable Development Goals and report their progress. In addition, the VLR enables the cities to strategically plan the sustainable urban development processes. Hence, VLRs have emerged as a powerful tool that forefronts local action.

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Press Release

09 November 2023

Roundtable discussion dedicated to 30th anniversary of the Principles relating to the Status of National Human Rights Institutions

The round-table discussion provided an opportunity to take stock of the work accomplished by the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in Tajikistan (Ombudsman) to fully comply with the Paris Principles. Representatives of Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Finance participated in the round-table discussion to confirm their commitment to support the Ombudsman Office in implementation of the Sub-Committee’s recommendations. Five thematic sections of the round-table discussion covered the themes of equality and non-discrimination, freedom from torture, protection of the rights of children with disability, business, and human rights, as well as women’s rights. Those discussions comprised brief interventions from both, representatives of the Ombudsman Office and their respective partners from CSOs which reflected good cooperation between Ombudsman and civil society. Currently, Tajikistan’s Ombudsman has been accredited with status “B” which means that it partially complies with the Paris Principles. It must implement a series of recommendations of the Sub-Committee on Accreditation to achieve full compliance (status “A”). Those recommendations cover the issues of appointment, immunity, diversity of staff and adequate funding. The Paris Principles ('Principles Relating to the Status of National Human Rights Institutions') set out the minimum standards that NHRIs must meet in order to be considered credible and to operate effectively. The key pillars of the Paris Principles are pluralism, independence and effectiveness. 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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27 October 2023

Tajikistan expands cooperation with Türkiye to further implement health system reforms

The visit followed the Advanced Planning Workshop with key national stakeholders to introduce new health financing mechanisms in five pilot districts of Sughd Oblast of Tajikistan. With key partners, the next steps for the implementation of health financing reform in Sughd Oblast were agreed upon. Sughd Oblast is about to implement groundbreaking changes to the public finance management, with the aim of strengthening healthcare service delivery in primary care. The sustainable platform for exchange which has been established with Türkiye as a result of the high-level visit will greatly benefit further the implementation of the reforms in Sughd Oblast and be of a great value to the nation-wide implementation of health system reforms. The Tajik delegation in Türkiye included representatives of the Social Development and Finance Divisions of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of health and social protection of the population, the Sughd Oblast health and finance Departments as well as the managers of the primary health care facilities of districts of Istiklol, Devashtich, Kuhistoni Mastchoh, Shahriston and Asht. The high-level visit to Türkiye and the advanced planning workshop were organized by the WHO in Tajikistan within the framework of a five-year Health Development Programme funded by the EU. For further information, contact: Malika Khakimova, National Professional Officer (Health Policy) - World Health Organization khakimovam@who.int Mahbuba Abdulloeva, Press and Information Officer Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan mahbuba.abdulloeva@eeas.europa.eu

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24 October 2023

Government of Tajikistan and United Nations marked the UN Day in Tajikistan

The exhibition of UN in Tajikistan has been inaugurated by UN Resident Coordinator a.i., Mr. Arthur van Diesen and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Mr. Farhod Salim. The event took place with participation of state institutions, diplomatic corps, international organizations, civil society and mass media representatives and UN agencies represented in Tajikistan. Mr Arthur van Diesen, UN Resident Coordinator a. i. noted in his opening remarks: “Thirty years ago, the first UN operation was set up in Tajikistan. With this campaign we want to capture the key moments in the long and fruitful partnership between the UN and Tajikistan. We also wish to reaffirm our commitments to continue to support national efforts to harness the capabilities and creative energy of people and to ensure shared prosperity for all.” The main event included the photo and practical exhibition of 30 years of UN operations in Tajikistan, cooperation with the Government, support to global initiatives, thematic areas (water, glaciers, disaster reduction, green economy, gender equality, equity, human rights, social development, innovations) among others. UN agencies also organized several sessions on climate change and environmental sustainability, safe migration, presentation of School of Gender Advocates, Gender Action Learning System (GALS), Youth Talk on youth participation and disability inclusion. UN quiz was organized by young people to raise awareness about the key facts related to the UN and global development. Other key interventions to inform the public about the UN work in Tajikistan within the UN Day 2023 campaign, which will start on 24 October and last until the end of the year, include series of lectures for the students of universities on sustainable development and conduction of Model UN conference by the UN Tajikistan Association. Note: United Nations Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. UN Day, celebrated every year, offers the opportunity to amplify our common agenda and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided us for the past 78 years.

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