The Republic of Tajikistan declared independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Under Soviet rule, significant advancements were made toward achieving gender equality with high levels of female representation in the labor force as well as in governmental positions. During its transition into a sovereign nation, Tajikistan underwent extreme political and social unrest, culminating in a five-year civil war from 1992 to 1997. Women’s role in society severely diminished during and immediately following the war as Tajik society became heavily influenced by the more traditional interpretations of Islam. However, the country’s current constitution, drafted in 1994, declares, “All are equal before the law and court. The State guarantees the rights and freedoms of everyone regardless of his nationality, race, gender, language, religious beliefs, political persuasion, education, [and] social and property status. Men and women have equal rights.” The government ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1993 and in 2005, Tajikistan adopted the Gender Equality Law ensuring women’s equal rights across all sectors of society. A decade later, the government signed the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, affirming that “peace and security efforts are more sustainable when women are equal partners in the prevention of violent conflict, the delivery of relief and recovery efforts, and in the forging of lasting peace.” Despite the country’s progress in the decades since the war, work still remains. Tajikistan ranks 125th out of 156 countries on the 2021 Global Gender Gap Report, which measures economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. Women make up just 19 percent of parliament, and according to a 2016 study by the Committee on Women and Family Affairs and Oxfam, 97 percent of men and 72 percent of women believe that women must accept violence in order to keep the family unit intact. Fortunately, Tajikistan has the Network of Women’s Resources Centers, the largest gender equality network in the country, advocating on behalf of women’s rights in 18 locations across the country.
Sports participation among women and girls has been historically low in Tajikistan due to the country’s patriarchal structure and traditional gender norms. With minimal investment and the lack of safe sporting facilities, female athletes have faced a number of barriers preventing them from participation. However, over the past two decades with the help of UN Women and Oxfam, the National Federation of Taekwondo in Tajikistan has developed initiatives to help promote girls’ sports while addressing gender-based violence. The Tajikistan Football Federation with the support of FIFA has also implemented development programs aimed at providing sporting opportunities for girls. At the 1996 Atlanta Games, long-distance runner Gulsara Dodoboeva and diver Nataliya Shlemova were the first women to represent Tajikistan in the Olympics. In 2008, powerlifter Zaytuna Roziqova, became the first Tajik woman in the Paralympics. Four years later Mavzuna Chorieva brought home Tajikistan’s first Olympic medal by a female athlete after she won bronze in the lightweight boxing event. Chorieva is currently serving as General Director of Tajikistan’s National Olympic Committee.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in Tajikistan:
Aziza Kayumova
How does Tajikistan compare to other countries?
Where do you want to explore next?
Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
19%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
6%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
No
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
Unknown
Title IX Timeline
1924
Women gained the right to vote (full suffrage) as part of the Soviet Union.
1991
The Republic of Tajikistan declared independence with the dissolution of the USSR on September 9.
1992
The Tajik Civil War began.
1993
Tajikistan ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
1996
Gulsara Dodoboeva and Nataliya Shlemova became the first women to represent Tajikistan in the Olympics.
1997
The Tajik Civil War ends on June 27.
2008
Zaytuna Roziqova became the first woman to represent Tajikistan in the Paralympics.
2012
Mavzuna Chorieva became the first woman from Tajikistan to win an Olympic medal (bronze- boxing).
2015
Tajikistan signed the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, affirming that peace and security efforts are more sustainable when women are equal partners in the prevention of violent conflict, the delivery of relief and recovery efforts and in the forging of lasting peace.
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
2
-
9
-
5
-
1
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
1
-
0
Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
1996
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
2000
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
Mavzuna Chorieva: 2012, Boxing (Bronze)
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
2008
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
2008
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
The first woman could be you!
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
2018
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
The Tajikistan Football Federation, in partnership with FIFA, implements development programs aimed at providing sporting opportunities for girls.
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
For More Information
FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
Unknown
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
For More Information
LOCAL
Sports
Initiatives
Major Regional Or Country Sport Initiatives
Committee of Youth and Sports in Tajikistan together with the Women’s Football League of the Tajikistan Football Federation and UN launched the Empowering Youth for a Peaceful Tajikistan project to promote gender equity and peacebuilding through sports.
Community Organizations That Have Signed The Brighton + Helsinki Declaration
