In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, the head of the Department of State Protection of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights at the Ombudsman’s Office, Saidali Bobokhonzoda, noted on July 22 that over the first six months of this year, the Ombudsman’s Office has received eight complaints regarding violence against women in the country.
According to him, the complaints mostly concerned violence by husbands against their wives.
One notable case occurred in Kulob: a woman frequently faced verbal abuse and physical violence from her husband. However, when the police were involved, she ended up being detained. Her husband accused her of attacking him with a knife during an argument, and he filed a complaint with the local police.
After the woman's relatives reported the case to the Ombudsman, an investigation revealed that the husband had been abusive, and his accusations were unfounded.
The Ombudsman's Office reportedly intervened, leading to the woman's release and the husband's detention for his abusive behavior.
Bobokhonzoda highlighted several measures undertaken to assist women who have experienced violence: conducting discussions with family members aimed at preventing violence; working with local law enforcement to ensure prompt response to violence cases and facilitate the cessation of violence against women; providing legal and psychological assistance to women who have suffered violence; and public awareness campaign – educating the public about women's rights and the unacceptability of violence.
Speaking at the news conference, Ombudsman Umed Bobozoda noted that over the first six months of this year, the Ombudsman’s Office has received a total of 787, 84 complaints less compared to the same period last year.
These complaints reportedly covered issues such as housing rights, social security, and domestic violence. Only 33 complaints, or 4.19 percent, were resolved positively.
The report underscores the ongoing issue of domestic violence in Tajikistan and the steps taken by the Ombudsman's Office to address it. Despite the challenges, the Office remains committed to protecting women's rights and ensuring justice for victims of violence.
