Power in Her Future: Tajikistan marks International Day of the Girl Child

Dushanbe, 9 October 2026 – A national forum dedicated to the International Day of the Girl Child is being held today, providing a platform to discuss the importance of investing in girls’ rights, education and development opportunities. The forum, organized jointly by the United Nations, the Government of Tajikistan and the OSCE, brings together representatives of national and international communities, including government institutions, diplomatic missions, the private sector, youth and other stakeholders.

Held under the theme “Power in Her Future,” the forum serves as a national platform for dialogue, accountability and collective action, moving beyond commemoration to address the policies, investments and social norms that shape girls’ opportunities and participation in society.

At the forum, participants discussed findings from an analysis of the situation of girls in Tajikistan, a study on child marriage and its implications for the National Strategy, as well as an assessment of the care economy and opportunities for community-based childcare.

The study on child marriage in Tajikistan, conducted jointly by the United Nations and the Center for Strategic Research under the President of Tajikistan and presented at the forum, provides evidence of the benefits of strengthening opportunities and protection for girls.

UN Resident Coordinator Parvathy Ramaswami in her opening remarks stated that “Every girl has the right to grow up safe, healthy and educated, to make her own choices and to shape her own future. This year’s global theme, “End child marriage and invest in girls’ rights!”, urges all of us to translate our commitments to actions. We need sustained efforts to prevent early marriage, strengthen protection and services, engage families and communities, and ensure that girls can remain in school and make informed decisions about their futures."

“Empowering girls is one of the smartest investments we can make. Girls who are educated, healthy, and protected are more likely to become women who participate more actively in the workforce, support healthier families, and drive economic growth. To enable this environment, we need to expand opportunities for girls to enter STEM fields, leadership positions, and create platforms where they can develop their skills and share ideas,” UNICEF Representative in Tajikistan Gabrielle Akimova says.

The forum also creates a space for youth to engage directly with decision-makers. During the Girls-Leaders Dialogue, young girls and boys will discuss their priorities with representatives of government institutions, Parliament and other national bodies, sharing their perspectives on practices and policies affecting their lives.

In addition, mentorship sessions help young participants explore career pathways and learn from the experiences of women working in areas such as diplomacy, justice, academia, civil society, the private sector and sports. The Parliament Session, led by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, provided girls with an opportunity to hear directly from women working in public life and to discuss professional pathways and leadership.

Investment in girls’ futures is central to the forum’s agenda. International financial institutions and development partners participated in a high-level investment round table to discuss financing opportunities and priority initiatives.

Throughout the two-day forum, girls are given dedicated spaces to exchange ideas, build networks and discuss issues affecting their lives, including access to quality education, digital literacy and online safety, mental health, protection from violence and harassment, leadership, social norms, climate change, and the role of families and communities.

The International Day of the Girl Child 2026 in Tajikistan marks the culmination of a year-long process of advocacy and policy dialogue under the “Power in Her Future” initiative, with the forum serving as a platform to reinforce collective responsibility for ensuring that girls can learn, participate, lead and shape their own futures.