History bears witness that the People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan began its activities during a critical and decisive period in the life of the newly independent nation. From its very inception, the Party undertook efforts to establish lasting peace and national unity, as well as to promote the reconstruction and development of the country. It set as its primary goal the unification of progressive and capable forces to build a democratic, law-based, and secular state, alongside an economically and socially advanced society. The Party also prioritized ensuring political stability, national unity, territorial integrity, and a bright, prosperous future for the nation.
It is worth noting that women are a vital and progressive part of a democratic society, playing a significant role in its political, social, economic, and cultural development. A democratic society requires the protection of the status and equal rights of all segments of the population, as well as the maintenance of gender, racial, religious, and sectarian balance. Upon declaring state independence in the 1990s, Tajikistan affirmed its commitment to being an integral member of the international community, dedicated to respecting, observing, and protecting human rights and freedoms. Unfortunately, the civil war that followed had a detrimental impact not only on the country’s economic and political situation but also on the legal status of women.
Fortunately, the election of the esteemed Emomali Rahmon as Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Tajikistan marked a significant turning point that fundamentally changed the situation.
One of the earliest measures to protect women’s rights was the adoption, in 1993, of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Through this Convention, member states condemn discrimination against women in all its forms and commit to the following objectives:
During that period, with the aim of establishing the legal foundation of the state, the Republic of Tajikistan adopted its first Constitution on November 6, 1994.
The provisions of Article 1 of the Convention are reflected in Article 17 of the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan. It states that everyone is equal before the law and the courts. The state guarantees the rights and freedoms of all individuals, regardless of nationality, race, gender, or language. Men and women enjoy equal rights.
Article 33 of the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan rejects national customs and traditions that are inconsistent with the realities of modern life. It provides that men and women who have reached the legal age of marriage have the right to freely enter into marriage. In both marriage and its dissolution, spouses have equal rights.
At the first session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan’s seventh convocation on March 19, 2025, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, esteemed Emomali Rahmon, emphasized that 18 women were elected to the new parliament for the 2025–2030 term. This represents an increase of four members compared to the previous convocation and reflects both the active participation of women in state and social affairs and the rising status of women in society.
Of the 18 elected women, one serves as the Deputy Chairwoman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, one serves as a committee chairwoman, and five others hold the positions of deputy chairwomen of various committees.
One of the priority areas of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan is inter-parliamentary cooperation. To this end, during the first session, women deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon actively participated in conferences, meetings, and international forums.
During its first session, the Majlisi Namoyandagon established friendship and cooperation groups with 70 countries worldwide and 8 international and regional organizations. Each group includes at least two or more women deputies. Among them, seven women deputies are part of the national group of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, three serve on the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and two serve on the Standing Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
In the friendship and cooperation groups between the Majlisi Namoyandagon and the Parliaments of Scotland, the Chamber of Representatives of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, and the Parliament of the Kingdom of Sweden, two or more women deputies have been nominated. This serves as an example of the active participation of women deputies in inter-parliamentary relations.
We, the deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, along with the deputies of local councils, must set an example by strictly adhering to the laws, upholding integrity, and demonstrating loyalty to the Homeland and the Nation. We should stand at the forefront in the fight against all forms of illegal activities.
I am confident that we, the deputies, will fulfill the duties entrusted to us by the Constitution and laws with a strong sense of patriotism and responsibility. We will work for the progress of today and tomorrow of Tajikistan, the sustainable and rapid socio-economic development of the country, the strengthening of the rule of law, and the effective protection of human rights and freedoms at the highest level.
