On 12 February 2026, a parliamentarians’’ meeting entitled “Achievements and Challenges in the Implementation of Gender Equality Policy in Tajikistan” was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, under the auspices of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Lower House of Parliament) of the Republic of Tajikistan, in collaboration with the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) and the Asian Population and Development Association (APDA), with support from the Japan Trust Fund (JTF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The meeting brought together members of the Parliament of Tajikistan, the Ambassador of Japan to Tajikistan, representatives of government institutions, as well as representatives of international organizations, civil society organizations, experts, and media. Parliamentarians from the Philippines, Indonesia, and North Macedonia also participated online, sharing experiences and initiatives from their respective countries.

During the meeting, participants discussed policy and legislative frameworks for promoting gender equality and preventing gender-based violence (GBV), while recognizing persistent challenges such as the underrepresentation of women in decision-making processes and constraints on women’s economic opportunities. Parliamentarians from the Philippines, Indonesia, and North Macedonia also joined the meeting online and delivered presentations, sharing country experiences and practices in promoting women’s empowerment, strengthening the role of civil society, and expanding educational and economic opportunities for women and youth. In addition, discussions highlighted the importance of integrating gender perspectives into responses to global challenges, including climate change, water security, and glacier preservation. As an outcome of the meeting, the importance of further advancing gender-responsive policies and legislation, strengthening cooperation among relevant stakeholders, and promoting greater participation of women and youth in advancing sustainable development was reaffirmed. Based on these discussions, recommendations were compiled to guide future actions.