On December 27, 2024 in Dushanbe, a round table was held with the participation of government agencies and civil society organizations to begin assessing the accessibility and quality of basic services to combat gender-based violence, including support for persons with disabilities. The event was an important step in improving the system of assistance to victims of sexual and gender-based violence.
The event was organized by the NGO “Gender and Development” within the framework of the project implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with financial support from the UK government.
The purpose of the roundtable was to discuss current standards of service provision for survivors of violence, identify problems in their accessibility and quality, and propose recommendations to address existing gaps. Discussions focused on the development and implementation of standard operating procedures for agencies that provide these services, with a focus on the inclusion of people with disabilities.
Experts and roundtable participants emphasized the importance of ensuring an integrated approach in the provision of assistance to victims, including legal support, medical and psychological services, and social rehabilitation. It was noted that insufficient interaction between different public and private structures, as well as the lack of clear procedures in some areas remain the main challenges to effectively addressing gender-based violence in the country.
Also discussed was the need to create and implement new standards that will aim to improve the quality and accessibility of these services, especially for people with disabilities, which is an important aspect to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all survivors.
The event became a platform for sharing experiences and developing recommendations for further improvement of services and assistance to victims of gender-based violence in Tajikistan. The participants noted the importance of further cooperation of all stakeholders to create a more effective system of protection and support for survivors.
The views expressed at the event and the recommendations provided by the participants do not necessarily reflect the official views of the UK Government or the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
