Committee for Women and Family Affairs at the Government of Tajikistan:

Addressing HIV based violence, stigma and discrimination in communities

Project title: Addressing HIV based violence, stigma

and discrimination in communities

• Starting date: 01.07.2010

• End date: 30.09.2011• Donor GFATM/UNDP• Implementing agency:

CWFA• Implementing partners:

local governments, communities, women-leaders, religious leaders

MAJOR OBJECTIVES

• Hold national and regional training workshops on vulnerability of women and girls to HIV for Committee of Women and Family Affairs and local civil society organizations.

• Conduct sessions on HIV/AIDS prevention, role of local governments and communities in decreasing stigma and discrimination towards vulnerable groups, vulnerable women and PLWH.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

• Awareness sessions with women in communities

• Training for local governments

• Public events

Focus on men

• Dominant role in the traditional Tajik society

• Violence against women is seen as normal in Tajik mentality

• Seasonal labor migration (men to migrate to Russia) makes them and their wives vulnerable to HIV/AIDS

Approaching young men and boys

• Behavior change communications should start from childhood

• Boys educated on HIV/AIDS prevention, transmission routes, norms of communication in the society

• Special focus on equal rights of women’s/girls and unacceptability and inexcusability of violence

RECOMMENDATIONS• Involve both parents in HIV

dialogue in the family• Teachers could be strong

promoters of HIV prevention and non-violence messages

• Peer-to-peer approach to educate young generation

• Use religious leaders who have a strong voice and influence in BCC

• Use public events, quizzes, community gatherings to deliver key messages

• CWFA could be a strong partner in approaching communities

Thank you! Tashakkur!