Ms. Shermatova purchased an oven and a sewing machine so she could cook food to sell and earn an income through her tailoring business. Multiple studies have found that financial independence is a key factor in reducing women’s vulnerability to violence and allowing them to break the cycle of violence.”Nowadays, we go to the city park, and Mum often buys treats. Mum does not cry or scream anymore”, says one of Ms. Shermatova’s three children. Like many women in Tajikistan, Shermatova Marjona has experienced gender-based violence.
House of Discord
The Hayot dar Oila lawyers gave Ms. Shermatova legal assistance, and worked with her to draft an appeal to the Tajikistan authorities, including the President.
Over the past two years, the Spotlight Initiative has supported psychological and legal assistance to vulnerable women like Ms. Shermatova, and helped them to become financially independent by providing capital to start their own small businesses.
She had no money, no education and she could not leave her young children alone and go out to work. She would steal corn from a neighbour’s farm to feed the family, as her husband had stopped supporting them. He also did nothing to protect his family from his father’s violence.
The family lived in constant fear. Whenever their grandfather was around, the children shuddered, thinking that he might hurt their mother again.
Foundations of a new life
© UNICEF/M.Ruziev Once construction had begun, Ms. Shermatova and her husband returned to Tajikistan. She used the last of her savings to put a roof on the house, install windows and doors, and to paint the rooms. The family lived in the semi-finished home together. In addition, she provided her father-in-law with money almost daily, whenever he would ask for it. “I knew that my father-in-law used to treat his first wife in the same way, driving her to a deep mental breakdown,” shares Ms. Shermatova. “Now, he periodically beats his second wife.” © UNICEF/M.Ruziev Ms. Shermatova and her children lived in fear of constant abuse.
