Tajikistan

In Tajikistan we help people to find peaceful solutions to conflict by focusing on the issues that influence peace.

Our work in Tajikistan has five strategic priorities: preventing violent extremism; gender equality; responsible economic development for social cohesion; climate change and natural resource management; and promoting good governance.

A key focus of our work on gender equality through the years has been, and remains, researching and implementing projects to promote gender relations to reduce the level of violence against women and girls.

Achieving progress on these priorities requires strong partnerships with government agencies, international and public organisations, foundations and donors. These relationships are aimed at resolving and supporting peace processes, participation in conflict resolution and ensuring the meaningful participation of civil society, women, young people and other marginalised groups.

We have been working in Tajikistan since 2008.

Conflict context

Tajikistan is the most vulnerable of the Central Asian countries. In 1992, the country was engulfed in civil war, with different interest groups vying for control. But by 1997, a power-sharing agreement had been signed. It was an exceptionally well-coordinated peace process, involving local civil society, the international community and a newly established Commission for National Reconciliation.

However, the country’s current socio-economic situation and emerging market economy are fragile, making it difficult to weather internal and external shocks. Problems of decentralised governance, economic volatility in the foreign market and geographic factors create a significant gap between citizens and public services.

Negative economic indicators such as an unstable banking system, limited access to education and health services, the complex geographic location of districts, high unemployment rates, and migration and remittances all shape social cohesion in the country. Yet, these issues are also heavily influenced by external factors, including border conflicts, military operations in neighbouring Afghanistan and Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine.

Despite the economic and social development difficulties faced by Tajikistan, there are many organisations, individuals and networks that remain committed to peacebuilding in the country. These efforts need to be intensified and sustained in the long term by introducing new guidelines, implementing new programmes and reforms, and by conducting research and analysis.

An illustrated image of a woman collecting water from a river, looking upset.

Featured insight

Family happiness is in the absence of violence

Young women in Central Asia face high risks of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence. This animation shares some of the realities in Tajikistan.

Watch here