OSCE conducts train-the-trainer course for facilitators of Women Resource Centres in Tajikistan

An OSCE-organized five-day train-the-trainers course (ToT) for facilitators of Women’s Resource Centres (WRCs) concluded on 17 November 2023 in Dushanbe. A one-week course brought together 26 participants to strengthen the knowledge of WRC facilitators on the Zindagii Shoista (Life with Dignity) methodology.

The training encouraged reflection on values and attitudes towards gender and relationships within the family. Participants gained knowledge about family health and built awareness about violence against women. During the training, WRC facilitators developed skills to help family members better communicate with each other.

Zindagii Shoista consists of 11 modules such as: Let’s Communicate; Men and Women – Expectations versus Reality; Relationships; Peer Group Meetings; Family Health; Violence in Relationships; Supporting Women Experiencing Violence in Relationships; Changing Behaviours; Being Assertive and Showing Appreciation and other modules.

Nargiza Mukhtorova, Facilitator of the WRC “Umed” in Isfara of the Sughd region said: “The skills and knowledge that I acquired in this training will help me to conduct information sessions among those families who have experienced violence and help them reduce the tensions, improve communications and relations, and live their lives with dignity and in harmony.”

“I learned communication skills, role-playing, and experience sharing in the ToT,” said Aysifat Norbekova, Facilitator of “Darmonbakhsh” WRC in the Dusti district of the Khatlon region. She added that she will use her new knowledge in her practical work with women who have gone through violence and women living in unhealthy families.

The training course is being implemented within the OSCE’s Women’s Resource Centres project funded by the United States of America, Finland, Norway, Germany, and Andorra.  The training is part of the Office’s ongoing support to the Government of Tajikistan and civil society organizations in preventing and combatting domestic violence including by improving professional support services to survivors.