Women’s groups empowered to improve their communities

An orphan girl, Barno Eshonqulova, got married with the help of a group of women in Mardatsoy Jamoat, Vakhsh District. Barno was raised by her aunt and she never thought that she would get married. Since the women’s groups were formed, the members have always supported her. 

“She is a lovely person and good at cooking. We thought a baking oven will be the perfect gift for Barno” – said Uguloy Ishmuhamedova at the wedding.

This women’s group are one of many supported by Save the Children, empowering women to decide what they need in their communities and helping them to achieve their goals.

So far, over 2,500 groups have been set up across Tajikistan, helping to mobilize and empower over 42,000 rural women. Save the Children provides only technical assistance to these groups; they are entirely self-funded. The women save a small amount of money each week or month, and spend it as they wish. Through their involvement in the group, the women are able to assume a decision-making role, often for the first time in their lives. Together, they decide what they want to do as a group, and how they will spend this money.

In Obi-Shifo Village, Chorgulteppa Jamoat of Rudaki District, 74 members of a women’s group got together to donate 370 Somoni by buying new tables, chairs and medical cards to a newly built rural health center in.

The government has built a new health center in Obi-Shifo Village. “We, the medical workers and women’s groups, are building a strong relationship among each other for the best of our children and villagers” – said Bunafsha Kulmatova, the head of rural health center of Obi-Shifo Village.  

Small amounts go a long way in these areas of Tajikistan. Bit by bit, the women help to improve the quality of life for their communities.