Valentina Kasymbekova
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Women theoretically have the right to run their own farms, but they are still marginalised from real power on the land.
The law promises equality for Tajik women, but many of those who pursue a career in politics are invariably disappointed.
During the 1991-97 civil war, thousands of women and children fled to Afghanistan to live as refugees. But despite their suffering, many women have now found professional success.
Growing poverty and the dominance of conservative values post independence take their toll on female education.
Non-government media subjected to closures and threats in run-up to 2005 elections.
Legacy of the civil war rears its head as former refugees come back and win back homes, evicting the people living there.
Life below the poverty line means a diagnosis of tuberculosis is a death sentence for many Tajiks.