24 November 2017, the event dedicated to the Global Campaign "16 days of activism against violence against women”, which is held annually throughout the world from November 25 to December 11 conducted in Dushanbe.  The event was organized by UNFPA in close cooperation with UNAIDS, UNDP and other local and international partners.

Around 300 participants including representatives of the government, embassies, international organizations, commercial structures, CSOs, mass media took part in the event, where thematic exhibition of photos, along with an exciting concert show presented and the winners of the essay and photo contest under the title “I'm proud of my daughter", dedicated to the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child announced.

“Thank you very much for joining us today to  get start the 16 days of activism campaign  to prevent violence against women and girls. Most UN days are only for one day and this is the only campaign which continues for 16 days because of the extreme importance of the issues. Parents have an extremely important role to shape their boys and girls and groom them to respect and understand the gender equality.  Father’s role is so important in shaping their daughter’s future, giving her confidence, giving her ability and providing her with the best education, best of health and strong self-esteem to take her own decisions.  We are so proud of all fathers, who have participated in this context by sharing their essays as examples of what they feel about their daughters,” said in her welcoming speech Dr. Pratibha Mehta, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Tajikistan.  

The guests of the event could enjoy the show of the young talents - young athletes of the National Taekwondo Federation and Kickboxing of the Republic of Tajikistan, vocal group "Haftrang", dance ensemble "Sitorai Umed" and etc. The entertainment program from children's center "Aladdin" provided unforgettable impression to the young guests.

During the event the names of the winners of the contest for the best essays and photos announced. According to the evaluation of the jury members, consisting of representatives of the sponsors of the contest, international organizations and the media of the Republic of Tajikistan, the winners in each category are:

• The winners for the best essays: first prize - Azamat Ashurov; the second - Davlatali Sharipov; the third prize- Olimsho Olimshoev.

• The winner for the best photos: first prize- Bahriddin Isamutdinov; second - Farhod Farhodov and the third prize- Kuhrshed Safarov.

Notably more than 70 essays and over 600 photos were submitted for the competition since July 2017. The aim of the competition was to emphasize the positive role of fathers in supporting their daughters in realizing their potential and solving the problems that girls face in their daily lives.

The contest of the best essays and photos under the title "I am proud of my daughter" was organized in partnership with national and international organizations, including  UNAIDS, UNDP, Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan, Huawei Mobile Tajikistan, Public Organization  "Hamsol ba hamsol", National Federation of Taekwondo and Kickboxing of the Republic of Tajikistan, printing company "Contrast", LLC "Oila", Radio "Vatan", Radio station " Asia Plus ", children's center" Aladdin " and "Bon Appetite" company.

Throughout the world, adolescent girls face greater challenges than their peers - boys. Social and public norms and principles oblige girls from an early age to focus on the creation of a family and the continuation of the family, to the detriment of training, career and professional growth.  Often, for the above reasons, girls and young women remain without access to education and other social services, which lead to negative consequences for both of them and their families, and especially for their children. But if the teenage girl has the opportunity, the means, and information, the support of parents and family, she will be able to realize her potential and become the driving force for positive changes in her family, community, and country.