“On the International Women’s Day, the United Nations, the Government of Tajikistan and women and girls of Tajikistan stand together and follow the path of the women activists whose passion and commitment has won women’s rights over the generations, and successfully brought change. Marking this year’s International Women’s Day, UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has said “Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is the unfinished business of our time, and the greatest human rights challenge in our world.”
“This day reminds us all to work together every day for change and action to empower women in all settings, rural and urban, of all ages and enable them to claim their human rights and realize their full potential.
“This year, the International Women’s Day follows the global movement for women’s rights, equality, and justice. Women and girls from around the world demonstrated strength and the power of speaking with one voice, as they demand stop to sexual harassment, violence, and discrimination against women. The culture of gender-based poverty, abuse and exploitation must end with a new generation of equality that lasts.
“Socio- economic Indicators for women and men in Tajikistan show that equal rights do not necessarily mean equal status. Women’s empowerment is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) means progress for all women and entire society. Government of the Republic of Tajikistan is strongly committed to the implementation of the Agenda 2030 and the National Development Strategy of Tajikistan has a specific focus on women’s rights, as an accelerator for development. However, implementation of strategies and policies is lagging and the inequalities persist, with women at a disadvantage as compared to men.
“The United Nations system in Tajikistan is committed to gender equality and is working with all partners to empower all women, promote their voice in decision making, end violence against women in public and private spaces; to ensure their reproductive rights, promote access to credit and livelihoods, improve access to quality health and social protection and enable them to live a life of dignity to their full potential.
“International Women’s Day 2018 is an opportunity for us to reflect on the achievements and challenges and commit ourselves to finish the long due unfinished agenda to achieve gender equality and women’s rights, so no women anywhere is left behind!”