Since their independence in 1991 from the Soviet Union, and suffering through a civil war that lasted from 1992 to 1997, Tajikistan has had a difficult time recovering economically and structurally. This economic strain has affected the family dynamic. It is now common for the men to work abroad in Russia, leaving the women to manage the land and children. Up to 74% of the population live in rural areas and rely heavily on agriculture. These women take on the duties of their husbands and or family members, along with their responsibilities as caretakersf. In some cases the men do not return to their homes and or ask for a divorce, leaving their wife and children in a vulnerable position. Tajikistan's culture is deeply patriarchal, with women not attaining the same rights as men. Domestic violence has been a prevalent issue in Tajikistan. Lack of education, resources, cultural norms, and government enforcement, have been factors in women not reporting these crimes. Another issue is the landscape of Tajikistan: 93% of the region is mountainous. The poor infrastructure and isolated villages is a contribution in the difficulty of changing the ideas surrounding genders. The Tajikistan government, with help through partnerships with organizations like the United Nations and other Non Governmental Organizations have drafted several resolutions throughout the years to ameliorate these issues within their society. However, this issue still needs to be researched more deeply.
Gender reform laws
The first actions towards gender reform was joining CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women) in 1993. This treaty is described as the "International Bill of Rights for Women". It was implemented by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979. The Constitution of Tajikistan was adopted in 1994. Article 17 of their constitution declares that regardless of sex, class, nationality, beliefs, etc. that they are equal citizens in the eyes of the law. In 1998, " National Plan of Action on Promoting of Status and Role of Women", was approved by the Government of Tajikistan. This addresses the issue of sexual violence and domestic violence against women and girls. In 2001, the Millennium Development Goals were introduced. World leaders in the United Nations gathered to global tackle issues such hunger, poverty, and gender inequality. In 2001, "Main Directions of the State Policy to Ensure equal rights and opportunities for men and women in the Republic of Tajikistan", was decreed. This affirmed the rights of men and women to equal access to land. Policies of women's access to microlending, entrepreneurship, and reaffirming their equal rights of were introduced women. In August 2001, a new state program was adopted, State Program titled, "Main Directions of the State Policy on Providing Equal Rights and Opportunities for Men and Women in the Republic of Tajikistan". In October 2003 a project with the Tajikistan government and UNIFEM, "Land rights and Economic Security of Women in Tajikistan", was implemented. This program looked at past and current policies towards land ownership and also promoted the equal access to land to men and women. March 2005, a law was passed by the government regarding guaranteeing equal rights of men and women and the equal practices of exercising those rights. The purpose of this law was to enforce the existing laws to promote gender equality and give opportunities to women in different settings, including posts in the government. In January 2007 the promotion of gender equality chapter was added to the National Development Strategy. In 2010 they adopted a National Strategy on activizing women's role in Tajikistan. One of its main goals is to carry out gender problems training, which was not previously actualized. In 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals were put into effect. The new 17 goals ( including gender inequality and women's access to education) are to be carried out by 2015.