Tajikistan

• We've worked in Tajikistan since 2007, partnering local organisations and the government to cut poverty and social exclusion among older people. Our project activities cover towns and districts in three regions of Tajikistan: Sugd, Khatlon and Regions under Republican Subordination. We work in close collaboration with government agencies such as the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the Department of Women's Affairs among others.
  
• We empower older people to play an active role in local development and political decision-making.
  
• We research and gather evidence on ageing issues to lobby other NGOs, UN agencies and government bodies.

Life story: Mutiev, 68

Mutiev with vegetables he grows in his new greenhouse. (c) PO Jovid Mutiev Mirzoahmad, is 68 and lives in the community of Khoja Amirov. 

He is part of a HelpAge project to support older people by offering them greenhouses.

He said: "We were given a variety of seeds; garlic, radish, spring onion, tomato, cucumber, watermelon, parsley, dill... Since January we have been eating the vegetable we have grown. They are a good source of vitamins and very nutritious.

"Many of my nighbours have already come to see my greenhouse and have told me they want to build their own. Now I am planning to extend my greenhouse so I can grow more and then sell some of my greens and seedlings for a profit.

"Before, we used to buy tomato seedlings and barely half of them would survive as it was such a long journey to bring them back from other villages."

Supporting older people in Tajikistan

We have improved older people's lives in Tajikistan by:

• preventing malnutrition among rural vulnerable older people in Maschoh district by installing greenhouses,
  
• including older people in community decision-making processes,
  
• introducing energy efficient equipment in community clubs and centres,
• increasing our work on emergency preparedness,
• lobbying the government with UNFPA, UN Women and other local NGOs to accept a law to prevent domestic violence,
• working with the Ministry of Labour to on a pension reform law, which came into force in January 2013.

What next?

We will continue to:

• focus on human rights, income security and emergencies,
  
• get involved in post-2015 discussions already taking place in Tajikistan,
• take part in the Age Demands Action for Rights campaign in cooperation with UNFPA and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

Our partners

PO Ghamkhori, Women Centre Gulrukhsor, PO Jovid, PO Munis, ACTE.

Our donors

DIPECHO, UNFPA, OSI, EU, UK Embassy in Tajikistan, OSCE, JOAC.