11 nov 2014
Interviews with leaders of women's clubs
Saidrahmonova Muhtarama, the leader of the club “Gulchini Muhtarama”. Vakhsh district, “Tojikobod” jamoat, “Fidokor” village.
What does it mean for you to be a leader?
“Being responsible for everything. To conduct work of the club in the right direction. I became an example for all, now all women want to be a leader”.
What can you say about your work with women in the club?
“Our club has proved the local authority that we are united. Jamoat allocated plot of land for club to have a permanent place of work and create small sewing shop at the club. In 1998, I started my business. I sell grain corn in the market. I could buy only 3 meters piece of fabric for its benefit. On this fabric I embroidered national patterns for pillows. Its profit was very small. It went on until the creation of the Women's Club. Now, 300 meters of piece of fabric sometimes is not enough for a week for work of our club. All the power in the unity of the women's club.
What has changed in your life since you became a leader?
“A lot of things have changed in my life. I became confident in my strength. Now, having the status of a leader, the people of our village come to me for advice in different situations”.
Odinaeva Malohat, the leader of the club “Shukrona”. Vakhsh district, “Tojikobod” jamoat, “MOPR” village.
What does it mean for you to be a leader?
“Leader in the women's club should create an atmosphere of trust between the members. She should be able to listen the views of others, as well as other members of the club have to listen to the leader”.
What can you say about your work with women in the club?
“If there is a mutual understanding between the members of the club, then you can achieve the goal. We tried to solve the problems together. All the power is in our unity”.
What has changed in your life since you became a leader?
“A lot of things have changed in my life. I have improved my knowledge in business, on the use of land. I learned all this at educational seminars, which were held in the framework of the project”.
Abdurahmonova Sitora, the leader of the club “Akhtaron”. Vakhsh district, “Tojikobod” jamoat, “Proletar” village.
What does it mean for you to be a leader?
“A leader is one who leads. Leader must be talented in everything. She must be able to work with the 10 members of the club”.
What can you say about your work with women in the club?
“I encourage women to be together, to raise the living standard, and never be helpless”.
What has changed in your life since you became a leader?
“I am very grateful to women that they trusted me, and I have been chosen the leader of the club. It was very difficult to bring up my children without a father. There was a low level of life. After the creation of the club it was much better. Now I am known as a leader of the club in our village, and this too is an authority. Now I am responsible not only for my family, but also for the club”.
Mirzoazizova Malumbi, the leader of the club “Khursand”. Bokhtar district, “Bokhtariyon” jamoat, “Sari puli 1” village.
What does it mean for you to be a leader?
“Being a leader means to be a senior. The leader must be able to converse, answer questions, teach and help others”.
What can you say about your work with women in the club?
“Women, who know how to embroider, sew and knit share their experience with young girls. Girls come to our club voluntarily to learn the skill of sewing, needlework and knitting. So, in the future, they will be able to have the benefit of their labor.
What has changed in your life since you became a leader?
“I made many friends and acquaintances. Now I know Martyna, Malika and employees of PO “Hamroz”, I was in Sughd region in order to exchange experience, participated in the exhibition in the framework of the project, which didn’t happen before in my life”.
Shokirova Dilbar, the leader of the club “Rushnoi”. Bokhtar district, “Bokhtariyon” jamoat, “Sari puli 2” village.
What does it mean for you to be a leader?
“A leader has to work so that it was good for everyone. If there is a good relationship between the members of the club, then there will be a progress”.
What can you say about your work with women in the club?
“Work in the club goes successfully. If we unite, we will achieve the goal”.
What has changed in your life since you became a leader?
“I didn’t know how to sew before; becoming the leader of the club I learned it. Now I try to teach sewing skills my relatives and persons who are interested in it. This work has improved the living standard of my family. Thanks to the “Polish aid” for all this”.
Kholova Olufta, the leader of the club “Dugonaho”. Bohtar district, “Mehnatobod” jamoat, “Khursandi” village.
What does it mean for you to be a leader?
“Leader is the head of the public. She must be responsible”.
What can you say about your work with women in the club?
“We are trying to improve the living standards of members in the family; we created a subgroup of the number of girls where we teach sewing skills”.
What has changed in your life since you became a leader?
“My world outlook has changed, living standard has improved. I learnt a lot about my rights”.
Jurakhonova Rajabmo, the leader of the club “Saiyora”. Vakhsh district, “Kirov” jamoat, “Tojikobod” village.
What does it mean for you to be a leader?
“Leader - is like a head of the family. She should be an example to all”.
What can you say about your work with women in the club?
“There is a profit from the work that we do with the women of the club. Women are happy about this, that each of them can benefit for themselves and their families”.
What has changed in your life since you became a leader?
“Until now, it was not possible to see the northern Tajikistan. My dream has come true. I am very grateful to “Polish aid” for it”.
Sharipova Kholdona, the leader of the club “Orzu”. Bohtar district, “Zargar” jamoat, “Khushvakt” village.
What does it mean for you to be a leader?
“Being a leader for me - to be responsible”.
What Can you say about your work with women in the club?
“I can say that in a short period of activity of women’s club, we have achieved many successes. We have a fund that strengthens our club. Each member of the club has its work on their skills. They bring income as to the club and so to their families”.
What has changed in your life since you became a leader?
“I will answer shortly. Before people in the village called me daughter, and now they call me “Raisa”. This means the chairman, the man who leads, and respected by all”.
Mirzorahimova Kurbongul, the leader of the club “Umed”. Bohtar district, “Mehnatobod” jamoat, “Yangi-turmush” village.
What does it mean for you to be a leader?
“A leader – is a head. She must understand all and be friendly with everyone”.
What can you say about your work with women in the club?
“Work in the club set in the right direction. Women are busy according to their abilities. Each of them has its own profit, which benefits as to the fund of the club and to their families”.
What has changed in your life since you became a leader?
“Changes in my life are a lot. Before, I was known as “apai Kurbongul”, and now, as the leader of the women's club “Umed”. Every day other women of the village come to me and ask to be accepted into the club. Now, I am as an authoritative person”.
Gulova Saidmoh, the leader of the club “Istiqlol”. Bohtar district, “Zargar” jamoat, ‘Komsomol” village.
What does it mean for you to be a leader?
“It means to be ahead of all. The leader must be an example to all”.
What can you say about your work with women in the club?
“All the women of the club are trying hard. We get together and discuss how we can improve the work of the club, what work will bring more profit that it be good for the club and family”.
What has changed in your life since you became a leader?
“Since I became a leader in my life has changed a lot. I became more responsible, decisive. Before, the final decision was taken by men in the family, but now they consult with me”.
The Project co-financed by the Polish development cooperation programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.
