The project “Empowering Women in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan” is more than just an initiative — it is a living process of change already unfolding within communities across both countries.

Step by step, organizations from Osh, Riga, and Khujand are joining forces. Together, they are creating a shared space where experience, knowledge, and support cross borders. With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, the project is becoming a platform for dialogue, learning, and collective action.

At the heart of this process are women and girls whose stories often remain unheard. For them, the MARTA Centre’s approach is currently being adapted — making it accessible, relevant, and sensitive to the local contexts of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

The work is already underway: assessing the needs and capacities of local NGOs and support services, while developing and adapting practical tools to help professionals better identify and prevent violence. Ahead lies the training of at least 60 specialists from the social, medical, educational, and law enforcement sectors.

At the same time, cooperation between organizations, government institutions, and international partners is being strengthened. This exchange of experience lays the foundation for long-term and sustainable change.

The project’s voice is also growing stronger through its information campaign — videos, publications, social media, and media outreach are helping to raise awareness and deepen understanding of the issue.

The project is ongoing. It has not yet reached its final stage, but it is already creating change — in knowledge, in approaches, and in the way people and institutions interact. Most importantly, it is contributing to a safer and more inclusive environment for women and girls, especially in rural areas.