OSCE Programme Office launches nationwide campaign 16 days of Activism against Gender-based Violence in Tajikistan

As part of the global campaign 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe launched a nationwide awareness-raising campaign in five regions with a special focus on remote areas.

The campaign, from 25 November to 10 December 2018, will reach 17 settlements and the events will include mobile theatre performances, public awareness campaigns, television and radio programmes, interactive information sessions, quiz contest as well as thematic meetings. The Office will distribute orange envelopes containing information on the Law on the Prevention of Violence in the Family, brochures and illustrative materials on where to seek aid if subjected to violence and orange umbrellas with the slogan “Join us to eliminate violence against women.”

To mark the launch of the awareness-raising campaign, the Office organized two events in Dushanbe. The first, held on 23 November 2018, was a meeting of representatives of 13 civil society organizations to discuss the Law on the Prevention of Violence in the Family, which was adopted in 2013. The discussion focused on gaps that have become apparent during the five years of the Law’s implementation and possible amendments.

On 27 November 2018 the Office conducted a one-day train-the-trainers course for some 20 members of Tajik Men Engage Network, members of Tajikistan’s parliament, politicians, young gender champions and civil society representatives. The topic of the course was “No excuses”. The participants discussed various forms of violence against women. They also learned about the history of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence global campaign. They made a joint peer-to-peer plan for action on challenging domestic violence and violence against women.

“Violence in the family destroys human lives and human potential, negatively affecting future generations. We tackle domestic violence through our projects implemented nationwide, and we work with prominent politicians, civil society and youth to challenge the difficulties and to address different forms of violence against women,” said Vesna Ivanovikj-Castarede, the Gender and Anti-Trafficking Officer of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. “We also work very closely with the Tajik Government to support the implementation of the Law on the Prevention of Violence in the Family.”

Saidjafar Usmonzoda, member of Tajik Parliament and Head of Democratic Party of Tajikistan, said: “The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence are very important in order to raise awareness of all citizens, and we as Men Engage Network will support the efforts of our Government and international organizations to eradicate violence against women and domestic violence.”