From a remote region to global action
Rukniya’s journey as a young changemaker in Tajikistan
At just 20 years old, Rukniya Niyozbekova is already making her mark as a young leader from one of Tajikistan’s most remote regions. A student at the University of Central Asia in Khorog, Rukniya is using her voice, skills, and determination to advocate for issues that matter to young people: from water management to climate action and children’s rights.
Rukniya’s journey into advocacy began with a simple step. While browsing the UNICEF website, she came across an announcement about the Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG). “My journey started when I saw an announcement about YPAG on the UNICEF website. I applied and joined the network,” she recalls.
Joining YPAG opened a new world for her. For the first time, she found herself among peers who were not only discussing challenges, but actively working to solve them.
“There, I met young people who were focused on solving world problems, not just talking about them. This experience helped me understand how youth can be part of real solutions,” Rukniya says.
Being part of YPAG became a turning point in her personal and professional growth. Inspired by the commitment of young people across Tajikistan, she began participating more actively in conferences, trainings, and learning programmes. She also credits a close friend, an environmental activist, for shaping her outlook. “Seeing her work showed me that even small actions can create very big changes,” Rukniya shares. That realization encouraged her to stay engaged, even when challenges arose.
Today, Rukniya is a member of the Youth for Water and Climate Network and the founder of the Sustainable Development Club at the University of Central Asia. Over the past year, she has taken part in the international “Silk Road of Knowledge” conference organized by the Dutch-Kazakh University, completed an online UNDP training on youth engagement, peacebuilding, and social cohesion, and joined United People Global, where she learned from global experts and professors.
Her leadership and teamwork have also led to tangible results. Rukniya and her team won first place at the Central Asian Case Championship on Digital Violence in Kazakhstan. She also earned third place in a creative video competition dedicated to World Children’s Day, advocating for the right to education under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Reflecting on her progress, Rukniya emphasizes that growth does not happen overnight.
“My self-development happened step by step,” she says. Through hands-on projects and teamwork, she strengthened her confidence, sense of responsibility and public speaking skills. Just as importantly, she learned how to listen, analyze challenges from different perspectives and work collaboratively toward solutions.
Rukniya’s story reflects a powerful principle at the heart of UNICEF’s work: nothing for young people, without young people. Her journey shows that with the right opportunities and support, young people, even from the most remote regions, can turn ideas into action, raise awareness, support their peers and drive meaningful change for their communities and beyond.
Water management has become a central focus of Rukniya’s advocacy. Growing up in a region where water scarcity is a daily reality, she understands how deeply the issue affects communities. “Water is important to me because people often realize its value only when there is a shortage,” she explains. Despite Tajikistan’s rich water resources, poor management continues to impact health, the environment, and everyday life. “When water is not managed properly, it creates many other challenges. For me, working on water issues means protecting people, nature and, of course, the future,” Rukniya says.
