Tajiksan

Tajikistan is the poorest of the post-Soviet republics, and among the worst affected by the problems of transitioning from a command economy. The economy suffers from hyperinflation and the collapse of industrial production, as a result of the civil war (1992-1997). Approximately 80% of the Tajik population lies below the poverty line.

Following political upheavals in neighboring Kyrgyzstan and violent demonstrations in Uzbekistan in 2005, the Tajik government has become increasingly wary of possible domestic unrest. As a result, parliamentary elections were less than democratic, failing to meet international and domestic standards. Members of political opposition are often pressured and political activists are repressed. Administrative measures are also used to crack down upon freedom of the press, especially against individual journalists.

Arbitrary arrest and detention is a serious problem, as the Tajik law allows for lengthy pretrial detention. Right to a fair trial is inconsistent in practice, especially in politically-motivated arrests.

Refugee status is also a persistent problem in Tajikistan. Afghan refugees have been deported without access to a lawyer or means to appeal.

As in the other former-Soviet republics, domestic violence remains a pervading, unspoken problem. The country also serves as a major source and transit point of human trafficking, mostly that of women aged 20-26.

Diphtheria is spread widely throughout the former Soviet Union; many of cases are reported from the southern region of the country bordering Afghanistan.

The number of HIV/AIDS cases per 100 people is below 0.1%.

Industrial emissions and excessive use of pesticides are leading causes of environmental damage in Tajikistan. Over the last 30 years, increased irrigation to support agricultural activity has resulted in harmful levels of soil salinity, which damage the soil and threaten its productivity.

The nation's water supply is threatened by pollution and inadequate sanitation facilities. Over-utilization of the shrinking Aral Sea for irrigation purposes has caused it to become polluted. Only 47% of the nation's rural population have access to safe drinking water. As of 2001, 4.1% of the country's total land area is protected. Five mammal species and nine bird species are threatened. Threatened species include the argali, Aral salmon, Tadjik markhor, tiger, and snow leopard.

The adult illiteracy rate is 80%. There is a growing number of girls “left behind” in Tajikistan, in terms of education. A 2004 statistic showed that 20% of girls fail to complete the nine-year compulsory education. This is attributed to the inability for most families to pay for education, compounded by deep-seeded gender socialization. A survey showed that 40% of girls do not think that education would impact the quality of their lives, and 57% of parents believe its more worthwhile to educate boys than girls (since the son is expected to be responsible for the parents’ at old age, while the daughter is “lost” to marriage). Religion also plays an important role in Tajik family life; thus, religious schools serve as an alternative for many girls, as religious education is often free.

In late December of 2005, it was announced that Tajikistan will be awarded $18.4 million through the Fast Track Initiative to be used in support of the education sector in 2006-2007.

There are ten institutions of higher education in Tajikistan, including the University of Dushanbe and Khudzhand.

Agency for Social Studies Tamiss - Action for mobilizing the innovative human knowledge and technologies dealing with social problems and public policy through challenging and establishing administrative and curriculum structures for education. Promotion of scientific study of and professional contribution to providing resourceful and institutional support for community and political leadership, thus strengthening the main features of an identity for civil society-like citizenship in the sphere of cultural contexts and leadership within the confines of decision-making. Networking the professional and determined leadership through community-based and civil society institutions to establish our policy-making and electoral capacities.

Civil Society Support Center - Civil Society Support Center “Third Sector” is a nation-level public organization. Our mission is to render assistance in the building of developed democracy in Tajikistan through the support of NGOs and local communities, providing informational, educational, consulting and technical services to them; increase informed citizen participation in social and economical decision-making. Civil Society Support Center is a member of the National CSSCs Association of the Republic of Tajikistan Network.

Union of Dehkan Farms and Business Undertakings of Tajikistan - The Union of Dehkan Farms and Business Undertakings Association was created in 1996 at the constituent assembly as a non-governmental, independent, self-governed public union. It is organized with the purpose of providing comprehensive support to Dehkan farms and businesspersons, development and perfection of a market infrastructure, and coordination of efforts of farmers and businesspersons, protection of the rights and interests of Dehkan farms and businessmen, improvements of professional skills and finding of foreign partners.

World Health Organization - The World Health Organization is the United Nations specialized agency for health. It was established on 7 April 1948. WHO's objective, as set out in its Constitution, is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health is defined in WHO's Constitution as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Project H.O.P.E - Project HOPE established an office in Dushanbe in October of 2001. From this office three programs are operating. These include a tuberculosis education program, a maternal and child health project and a humanitarian assistance program.
Since 2003, these two programs have combined to provided more than $20 million worth of assistance. The Humanitarian Assistance program has provided necessary medicines and equipment for selected hospitals throughout the country. In addition, special items were delivered for orphans within Dushanbe. Meanwhile, the tuberculosis program has delivered equipment and laboratory supplies for Tajikistan’s National Tuberculosis Center and six additional laboratory sites that are being utilized in the TB program. Currently both programs are expanding.

Student World Assembly - Promoting Global Democracy, one student at a time! We are looking for volunteers with a strong interest in Global Democracy and Human Rights for research schools in their area and recruit members for the organization.