On October 20, 2016 women’s groups (WG) from 15 target districts of Tajikistan shared with local authorities their experience in addressing their needs at household and community level. The event was organized by Save the Children’s Women’s Wealth and Influence (WW&I) Project funded by DFID in the cultural center of Rudaki district.
The event started with a visit to the district museum and the introduction of guests from 14 target districts to the history and culture of Rudaki people. Afterwards they convened at the event venue to join the official part of the day’s activities.
From the dias, the women introduced themselves and shared real life examples of cooperation with local authorities in such issues as of domestic violence, education of youngsters, establishing working places and income generating opportunities. Through these presentations the women demonstrated how they had started engaging independently with local authorities, other service providers on their own, outside the structure of the Women’s Wealth and Influence Project. Representatives of Rudaki District government and the government’s Committee for Women and Family Affairs under the Government of Tajikistan also joined the event and welcomed women.
Active women’s group leaders from different regions sat by the side of government officials being proud of having close collaboration with them. “I am a leader of the group “Sumbula” from Hamadoni District, and with the support of a head of jamoat lead the group towards prevention of young family breakdown” said group leader Qosimova Jumagul.
“First of all, I would like to thank Save the Children for their support. At the beginning, it was very difficult for the organization to establish women’s groups in the district. There were rumors that the organization would collect money from people and would disappear. Then we understood that every effort made by the organization has been toward improvement of our lives and empowering us. Now we are strong and even promote in our community youth’s higher education, and a local government support us in our endeavors. They allocate funds for the youth to cover registration fees at national universities. Three girls and a boy from our village had entered different universities for the last two years” stated Roziqova Sharifamo from Rudaki District.
A representative of a local NGO “Zan va Ob” in Rudaki District also participated in the event and expressed a desire to collaborate will the women’s groups and exchanged contacts.
At the end of the event participants enjoyed a concert presented to the guests by the cultural center staff with local singers and dance groups.
Central Asia 
