In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, Ms. Hilolbi Qurbonzoda, Chairperson of the Committee for Family and Women’s Affairs under the Government of Tajikistan revealed on August 9 that the number of women leaving the country for the Russian Federation has increased.
“They are tired of waiting for husbands from Russia,” said Qurbonzoda. “Over the first six months of this year, 89,493 women have left the country; many of them have gone on labor migration following their husbands.”
“This impressive figure cannot go unnoticed. For example, 57,451 women left Tajikistan over the same period last year seeking better employment opportunities,” she said.
According to her, the main reason for this is the fact that many women experience difficulties and inconveniences associated with the long wait for their husbands, who are forced to work in the Russian Federation.
“Long separation exerts psychological and social pressure on women and they increasingly decide to take an active part in economic life, seeking better employment opportunities abroad together with their husbands or join them later,” Ms. Qurbonzoda noted.
She further noted that her Committee jointly with other relevant bodies is looking for the best ways to support women in order to avoid their migration.
Another serious reason for the increase in the number of Tajik migrant women is finding a job for single mothers, she noted.
Ms. Qurbonzoda noted with regret that vacant jobs available in Tajikistan are not attractive to the category of women. “Wages are often not enough that forces them to decide to migrate,” she said.
"This circumstance raises the topical issue of social support for single mothers in Tajikistan, what the Committee is working on,” the Committee top manager stressed.
According to her, the Committee organizes educational programs and campaigns at raising women’s awareness of their rights and opportunities. “This helps them make more informed decisions and protect their interests,” Ms. Qurbonzoda noted.
Besides, the Committee reportedly stimulates entrepreneurial activity among women through providing financial support, holding consultations on business-planning and providing access .to resources for development of business.
Ms. Qurbonzoda added that over the first six months of this year, women in Tajikistan have received a total of 2,217,519.7 somonis in loans, which is 563,958.9 somonis more than in the same period last year.
It is to be noted that the migration of men from villages and cities throughout Tajikistan to available employment in other countries has changed the lives, duties, and responsibilities for the wives left behind.
As the husband works abroad for months and even years, the wife performs not only her traditional duty as caregiver, raising children and looking after the elderly, but also becomes responsible for household maintenance and budget, family fields and animals.
This situation is exacerbated by the low level or total lack of remittances. As is the case in many countries of the world, the migration of Tajik men has also feminized many sectors of society, especially agriculture.
