16th April 2026

Tajikistan – Joint submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review 53rd Session of the UPR Working Group of the Human Rights Council

During the third UPR cycle, Tajikistan received and supported multiple recommendations concerning the ratification of core human rights instruments to which it is not yet a party, as well as recommendations on combating violence against women and girls, including those facing intersecting forms of discrimination. This submission is jointly made by Equality Now and  Women Lawyers for Development, and the Your Choice Public Foundation. It provides an update on the implementation of those recommendations and highlights key issues relating to violence against women in Tajikistan, in particular domestic and sexual violence, as well as child and forced marriage. It also offers targeted recommendations to the Recommending States.

What’s included in the submission?

This submission provides an update on Tajikistan’s implementation of recommendations accepted during the third UPR cycle and identifies persistent challenges affecting women and girls.

It covers key issues including ratification of core human rights instruments, domestic and sexual violence, child and forced marriage, intersecting forms of discrimination, and the lack of effective data collection and monitoring.

It also sets out concrete recommendations to recommending States aimed at strengthening the legal framework, improving access to justice and survivor support, enhancing professional training, and tackling harmful gender stereotypes. 

Who’s this submission for?

  • United Nations Human Rights Council 
  • Law and policymakers 
  • Legal professionals
  • Government institutions

Key takeaways and recommendations

  •  Introduce a consent-based definition of rape in line with international human rights standards;
  • Ensure that marital and intimate partner rape are treated as aggravating circumstances;
  • Criminalise all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls, including domestic violence, stalking, and forced marriage;
  • Amend the Family Code to set 18 as the minimum age of marriage without exception;
  • Ensure laws and policies respond to the needs of women and girls facing intersecting forms of discrimination, including women with disabilities;
  • Investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate all cases of violence against women and girls using a victim-centred, gender-, age-, and disability-sensitive approach;
  • Remove burdensome evidentiary standards and corroboration requirements in cases of violence against women and girls, including sexual violence;
  • Ensure equal access to justice for women and girls from vulnerable and marginalised groups, including through procedural accommodation for women and girls with disabilities;
  • Strengthen protection and support services for survivors of violence against women across Tajikistan, including 24/7 hotlines, free legal aid, shelters, medical care, psychosocial counselling, and economic support;
  • Develop and adopt mandatory protocols and manuals for responding to cases of violence against women and girls;
  • Provide targeted and mandatory training for all professionals who work with survivors;
  • Strengthen the collection and maintenance of data on all forms of violence against women and girls
  • Ensure continuous awareness-raising campaigns on the unlawful and unacceptable nature of all forms of violence against women and girls
  • Develop and adopt a comprehensive Government strategy to eliminate discriminatory gender stereotypes and harmful practices and to promote zero tolerance for all forms of violence against women and girls

Explore more resources

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Tajikistan – Universal Periodic Review submission, 2021

This submission reviews Tajikistan’s previous UPR cycle, noting 29 recommendations on women’s rights, including preventing violence against women, addressing gender stereotypes, training officials on gender-sensitive practices, and ensuring women’s access to justice.

Information on Tajikistan for consideration by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women – 87th session, December 2023

Equality Now’s submission on Tajikistan exposed the state’s failure to protect survivors of sexual violence, citing discriminatory laws, practices, and attitudes contrary to CEDAW obligations. In February 2024, the Committee issued recommendations aligning with many of our proposals.

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