Gender Politics of Tajikistan: Towards Constructing an Identity of a Tajik Woman in Contemporary Society

Abstract

This research work provides a critical insight and analysis of the gender politics of Tajikistan and how a secular state and religious opposition define female identity in public and private spheres. The study presents a new perspective on gender power relations and ideas of statehood and female identity in contemporary Tajik society. For the past few years gender study has become an important thematic issue, which reveals the nature of patriarchal structures and statehood in Tajikistan. This thesis argues that similar to the Soviet gender policy, current ideology and gender politics of the Government of Tajikistan possess illusory and specious character. Even though the state has adopted a number of laws and decrees on increasing the role of women in society and juridically protect their civil rights, de facto gender inequality and discrimination against women are still very tangible in political, economic and social aspects of life. The patriarchal nature of this society, gender stereotypes, and inadequate state policies deprive women of opportunities for autonomy and development as politically and socially visible figures. Both the state and religious opposition deploy traditional patterns of behavior and conservative views on the role of women in society. Secular principles and the state’s restrictive policies towards Islam and Muslim dress code have been challenged and criticized by religious opposition. The polemic between the state and religious opposition on approaching gender issues and constructing a female identity have led to vast marginalization of females in Tajik society and imposing two competing views on the identity of Tajik woman.