This report looks at the role of disabilities in increasing the risk of sexual and gender-based violence and domestic violence in Tajikistan. The in-depth research into violence against women and girls in the country suggests that over 60% of ever-married women aged 15-49 (among the beneficiaries of our Zindagii Shoista project) have experienced different forms of spousal violence during their lifetime, including physical, sexual or emotional violence.

In this context, the vulnerability of women living with disabilities and of women parenting children with disabilities increases significantly due to their dependence on caregivers. Existing stigma and ableism associated with different forms of disabilities (associations with illness, anomaly, ugliness, incapacity to have fulfilling life and/or punishment for sins) exacerbate the situation of these women and girls. The study focuses on the cities of Dushanbe, Bokhtar and Khorog.