Joint Programmes/Initiatives
To promote efficiency, increase synergy and reduce transaction costs, several joint programmes/initiatives are being implemented:
Goal: Contribute to building and strengthening alliances for inclusive policies and communities for persons with disabilities in Tajikistan (Ongoing)
Agencies: UNICEF, WHO, UNDP
Within the funding of the United Nations Partnership to Promote the Rights of Persons with Disabilities UNDP, UNICEF and WHO are working to promote the rights of persons with disabilities, especially children and women with disabilities in the country. This joint project has three major outputs: i. Barriers holding back the Government’s signing/ratification of the CRPD are overcome through evidence-based advocacy and practical advice on implementation of the National Plan for Implementation of the UPR recommendations related to CRPD ratification process. ; ii. National, provincial, district decision and opinion makers’ awareness and positive attitudes about needs, abilities and rights of persons with disabilities have increased with a focus on women and children with disabilities; and iii. One district implements Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) principles targeting mainly children and women with disabilities to demonstrate the benefits of implementation of the principles of CRPD and a functional multi-sectoral approach to inclusive development for future scaling up.The duration of the current project is from January 2015 to December 2017, with a possible phase 2 for 2018- 2019. The members of the project Steering Committee include the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population (Chair), the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Labour, the Ombudsman’s Office, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, and the Coalition of Associations of Parents of Child with Disabilities.
Goal: Promote cooperation and trust between border communities of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to mitigate risks of renewed violence (Ongoing)
Agencies: UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women, WFP, FAO
Relations between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, while overall peaceful, have been characterized by border-related tensions (179 conflict incidents in 2015-2017), stemming from the lack of delineation and demarcation of the border between the two countries, increased pressure on natural resources due to demographic changes and new economic activities, and other root causes. Disagreements over the borderline continue to lead to misunderstandings and distrust between neighboring communities, exacerbating existing tensions over natural resources, and preventing the resolution of crucial developmental and societal challenges.
The second phase of the project “Cross-border Cooperation for Sustainable Peace and Development” commenced in April 2018 (first phase: 2015-2018), and helps to mitigate the risk of violence by building trust and promoting cooperation between border communities of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Five UN Agencies – through mirroring activities in both countries – restore cross-border linkages and trust by jointly addressing needs/ challenges associated with community infrastructure and natural resources, as well as by establishing platforms of confidence-building and cooperation between various societal groups. These goals are achieved through:
- rehabilitation of small-scale social and natural resources-related infrastructure
- strengthening cooperation in natural resources management
- enhancing linkages and dialogue between women, youth and adolescent girls and boys, as well as other societal groups of two countries through joint cross-border activities
- building capacities and competencies of community members and leaders on both sides of the border, especially adolescents, youth and women for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and participation in decision-making and mediation
- promoting economic ties between cross-border communities and harnessing employment-related activities to build bridges between people, especially youth and women
The project also aims to improve linkages and cooperation between security providers, local authorities and communities to reduce violent incidents by creating communication and dialogue platforms, strengthening complaints mechanisms and ensuring access to them to all people (including women), as well as building capacity of law enforcement institutions on human and children rights.
Goal: Technical support to improve national capacity for effective planning, management and monitoring of HIV/AIDS and Social Protection programmes and to contribute to national priorities in this area (Project completed)
Agencies: UNAIDS, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF
Under UNJAP the Global AIDS Response Progress Report (GARP Report) has been developed through the transparent process and timely submitted to UN GS for further consideration. The technical expertise on HIV legislation and other normative documents, as well as inputs to the Capacity Building and Transition Plan, provided to the government. Technical expertise for the development of the new National Programme on HIV/AIDS for 2016-2020 with a focus on the rights of people affected by HIV has been provided. Information sessions for representatives from law enforcement agencies (Dushanbe, Khatlon, Sogd) to familiarize them with HIV/AIDS related issues in the country and the peculiarity of the work with key groups of the population (high-risk groups for HIV infection) conducted. Under UNJAP support the Ministry of health conducted the analysis of legal norms of the social protection and introduce amendments in the related social service departments of the sector including social assistance at home units (SAHU) regulation. Workshops/information sessions conducted for representatives of the decision-making body, law enforcement agencies, CSOs and communities on the legal environments for populations most at risk for HIV to realize their fundamental human rights and reducing stigma and discrimination.