Promoting Women's Rights in Central Asia

Groups of trainees in Tajikistan, Kazakstan and Kyrgyzstan work in small groups to produce investigative pieces on subjects traditionally ignored by the media.

Promoting Women's Rights in Central Asia

Groups of trainees in Tajikistan, Kazakstan and Kyrgyzstan work in small groups to produce investigative pieces on subjects traditionally ignored by the media.

Tuesday, 26 October, 2010

Identify Issues

Working with local and regional NGOs, IWPR ascertained that there was little public awareness of women’s issues in the region, especially domestic and sexual-based violence. Women’s rights and security were simply not on political agendas.

Build Journalism

As part of IWPR’s on-going media training and mentoring programme, we added a component on women’s rights and related issues, including gender-based violence. A core group of trainees in Tajikistan, Kazakstan and Kyrgyzstan worked in small groups to produce investigative pieces on subjects traditionally ignored by the media.

Report News

A special report produced by a team of IWPR trained journalists in Tajikistan highlighted the endemic problem of gender-based violence, including the rising number of suicides among young married women.

Raise Awareness

A special report entitled Tajik Women’s Groups Press for Domestic Violence Law was distributed throughout the country to media outlets, NGOs, and politicians, raising awareness and focusing public attention on this neglected issue.

Make an Impact

The president of Tajikistan, Imomali Rahmon, cited the IWPR report at a high level cabinet meeting, stating that the issues raised required the government’s attention. Subsequently a domestic violence bill was drafted and sent to parliament.

Central Asia
Frontline Updates
Support local journalists