OSCE trains psychologists from Women Resource Centres and local authorities in Tajikistan in providing psychological support to survivors of domestic violence

A four-day training course for psychologists from the OSCE-supported Women’s Resource Centres (WRCs) and local authorities was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe from 11 to 14 August in Dushanbe. The event brought together 23 psychologists, of which 22 were female participants from the Sughd, Khatlon, Rasht Valley regions, and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan.

During the course participants learned about the psychological characteristics of children at different ages; children who witness domestic violence in the family; psychology of children who are victims of violence and how to help those children. Other main topics covered at the event were the problem of behavior - deviant and delinquent - in relation to oneself, in relation to others; art therapy and its methods and detection screening - sexual abuse.

Fotima Tojiboeva, a leading specialist of the Department of Women and Family Affairs of Local Executive Body in Isfara city, Sughd region said: “The involvement of the governmental authorities who are responsible for the implementation of the State Program for the Prevention of Domestic Violence is carried out in a timely manner. This will contribute to the improvement of this Program.” She also mentioned that she will use her gained knowledge and skills when providing psychosocial counseling to the survivors of domestic violence. 

“Since the work of a psychologist is a difficult and delicate one, it requires regular capacity building trainings. The OSCE-organized training course is very important for the work and daily activities of a psychologist,” said Barfia Shodieva, a psychosocial counselor of WRC “Oksana” in the Balkhi district, Khatlon region. She added that she will use her knowledge in her practical work.

The OSCE Programme Office will continue to support the Government of Tajikistan in implementing the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence. The Programme Office provides a comprehensive support to victims of domestic violence in the regions through a network of 14 OSCE-established WRCs in close partnership with local authorities.

The current activity is being implemented within the WRCs project of the OSCE Programme Office funded by Norway, the United States of America, Finland, the European Union, Andorra and Germany.