|
TAJIKISTAN: ON THE WAY TO GENDER EQUALITY |
All of us, no matter our occupation or country of origin need to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women, as effective ways to combat poverty, hunger and disease and to stimulate development that is truly sustainable. Gender discrimination is holding back development as a whole.
UNDP has the unique privilege of being at the very heart this battle. It works as a partner throughout the world with national and local authorities to integrate gender concerns into all aspects of the development process - from inception through implementation and final evaluation. But, gender equality does not mean that women are only a focus of development projects. That would be treating the symptom, not addressing the root cause. Equality will only be achieved when gender concerns become an integral dimension of all programmes, plans and strategies. Substantive equality will ensure sustainability of rights and opportunities for all generations and genuine participation by both sexes.
In order to lay down a foundation for appropriate policies on gender-related issues, there must be agreement as to actual needs and priorities. Comprehensive analysis of all factors is required before effective advocacy can take place - hence this report. It is hoped that these findings will be provocative and encourage national and international discourse on various perspectives of gender equality in Tajikistan.
TAJIKISTAN: ON THE WAY TO GENDER EQUALITY
Table of Contents
To All Who Helped, With Thanks. 6
INTRODUCTION: Basic Results of the Analysis........... 7
1. GENDER RELATIONS: HISTORY, TRADITIONS AND MODERNITY 11
1.1 Cultural-Historical Background of The Status of Men and Women in Tajik Society......... 12
1.2 Emancipation Experience of the Soviet Period 16
1.3 The Modern Status of Men and Women: Stereotypes and Reality 17
2. GENDER POLICY....... 21
2.1 International Standards and Demands for Gender Policy 22
2.2 Gender Policy of Tajikistan and the State Mechanisms to Achieve it....... 23
2.3 Inequality between men and women in decision-making...... 26
2.4 Gender Expertise of National Legislation ...... 29
2.5 Budget: Gender
Aspect 32
3. ACCESS TO RESOURCES
AND POVERTY REDUCTION
34
3.1 National Poverty
Reduction Strategy and the Gender Aspect
35
3.2 Employment, Unemployment and the creation of jobs for Men and Women......... 37
3.3 Access to Economic and Natural Resources....... 39
4. SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF TRANSITION 44
4.1 Gender Symmetry in Education....... 45
4.2 Reproductive Rights and Health 48
4.3 Violence against Women......... 52
4.4 Problems of Socio-psychological adaptation of the Women of Tajikistan.. 56
4.5 Women - Victims of the Drugs Trade 58
5. CIVIL SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY ACHIEVEMENT..................... 63
5.1 Role of Traditional Society Institutions....... 64
5.2 Civil Initiatives by Women's NGOs 65
5.3 The Role of the Mass Media in forming Public Opinion on Gender Equality Issues 69
5.4 Gender Research and Educational Development. 71
5.5 The Objectives of Gender Statistics......... 73
6. CONCLUSION. RECOMMENDATIONS ON INTRODUCING THE GENDER APPROACH INTO THE STRATEGY AND POLICY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT....... 76
Appendix.... 81
Glossary of terms......... 87
Bibliography.. 91
Abbreviations...... 96