A beacon of hope: How UNFPA safe rooms are transforming lives in Tajikistan

RUDAKI, Tajikistan – At a maternity house in Tajikistan’s western Rudaki district, women and girls can seek some unexpected, yet sorely needed, extra services. Thanks to an initiative by UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, the ward doubles as a safe haven for survivors of gender-based violence.

Here, women and girls who have endured unimaginable pain find not only shelter and medical assistance, but a lifeline – a chance to rebuild their lives with dignity.

The maternity house is funded by the government of Tajikistan and includes a safe space established in November 2020 by UNFPA. The space offers a range of essential services, including emergency medical care, psychological support, temporary lodging, meals, and referrals to legal and social services.

Dr. Nargis Zokirova, an obstetrician-gynaecologist working in Rudaki, has been at the heart of this project since 2021. With compassion and resilience, she has guided survivors through some of the darkest moments of their lives, providing life-saving healthcare and creating a sanctuary where they can begin to heal.

A woman in a white lab coat smiles with her hand outstretched. She is standing beside a table stacked with leaflets, children’s toys and colouring pencils. — Dr. Nargis Zokirova has worked with survivors of gender-based violence at the maternity house in Rudaki since 2021. © UNFPA Tajikistan

Rebuilding lives

One case in particular that marked Dr. Zokirova involved a 16-year-old girl who became pregnant after a neighbour raped her. When she first arrived at the safe room, she was too traumatized to speak, but with Dr. Zokirova’s unwavering support she began to feel comfortable enough to share what she had experienced.

Dr. Zokirova ensured she received the medical care, psychological counselling and specialist referrals she needed, and that she could regain her strength and begin to hope for a better future.

Dr. Zokirova also recalled a 14-year-old girl who arrived at the safe room 22 weeks pregnant, following a sexual assault by her aunt’s husband. Her mother, desperate and heartbroken, had attempted a dangerous at-home abortion, leading to severe health complications for the young girl. She was brought to the maternity house in critical condition, where doctors were fortunately able to save both her and her fetus.

Once stable, the young girl was referred to the safe room and her attacker was arrested. “When the girl came to us, she was paralyzed by shock, silent and suicidal,” Dr. Zokirova recalled. “But over time, through our support, she and her mother found a way to rebuild their lives.”

“I was deeply moved by the professionalism, dedication and love provided by Dr. Zokirova and others to women and girls who have experienced unimaginable trauma,” said Florence Bauer, UNFPA Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, who visited the facility in June 2024.

“These safe spaces embody UNFPA's unwavering commitment to ending gender-based violence and to protecting and empowering survivors to rebuild their lives towards a brighter future.”

A room is made up of two single beds, bedside lockers, a wardrobe, a chair and a UNFPA banner. Behind the beds there is a window with a view of some trees. — In total, 21 safe rooms have been established across Tajikistan, offering emergency healthcare to survivors of gender-based violence. © UNFPA Tajikistan

Spreading the word

UNFPA has established 21 similar safe rooms across Tajikistan, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. This kind of survivor-centred, multi-sectoral response is urgently needed in Tajikistan, where there is a shortage of professionals trained in handling cases of gender-based violence. More than 40 per cent of women across the country have reported problems accessing even basic healthcare, particularly in rural areas, while just five shelters in the country provide long-term care to survivors.

UNFPA is working to improve conditions for women in Tajikistan by increasing the quality and availability of gender-based violence services. By establishing safe rooms in districts like Rudaki, women in hard-to-reach areas can receive the care they need in crisis situations.

Dr. Zokirova believes the safe room is making a big difference, but knows that many more women in her community are suffering in silence, unaware of the support available . She has urged community leaders and local activists to spread the word about the rooms and the services they offer. “If more women knew about our room, we could reach and help so many more who are suffering from violence and its consequences.”

For Dr. Zokirova, the safe room sends a message to survivors that they are not alone, and that there is a place where they will always be welcomed with open arms.

“The room shelters survivors in times of crisis, even when all family members and friends turn their backs on them,” Dr. Zokirova said. “It gives hope for the future and saves the lives of women and girls.”