Faced with archaic social expectations, Tajik women are expressing their exhaustion through a new coded language on social media. Built around the phrase \u201cI am Tajik\u201d, many personal testimonies have circulated in recent years.
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\u201cI am a Tajik woman and I have an unbreakable strength of spirit that allows me to overcome all of life\u2019s difficulties,\u201d says Madina Nigmatova, who took part in the movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the aim of deconstructing stereotypes deeply rooted in Tajik society, a growing number of women and girls across the country are regularly joining this movement, celebrating a strong image of women through traditional clothing and jewellery.<\/p>\n\n\n
Faites un don \u00e0 Novastan<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Far from limiting themselves to the domestic roles traditionally imposed on women – cooking, cleaning and caring for the household – which some movements, such as \u201ctradwives<\/a>\u201d in the United States, are now bringing back into fashion, Tajik women are using the digital sphere to give voice to feminist struggles. Madina Nigmatova, a social media marketing specialist and trainer, says that women not only have the right but also the duty to be visible, fulfilled in their careers, creative and fully active in the business world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe know our traditions, we respect them, we pass them on to future generations. But we want to live in our time, as educated and independent women. The modern Tajik woman has learned to combine several roles: taking part in competitions, pursuing any career, while also looking after her children and managing the home,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also read on Novastan : Comment les migrants nourrissent le Tadjikistan<\/a><\/strong> This movement is taking place in a context where women and married girls in Tajikistan have limited access to electronic devices and the internet, often because of family control. In households where men work abroad, for example, mothers may receive smartphones instead of wives, thereby limiting the latter\u2019s digital autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n Novastan est le seul m\u00e9dia en fran\u00e7ais et en allemand sp\u00e9cialis\u00e9 sur l'Asie centrale. Enti\u00e8rement associatif, il fonctionne gr\u00e2ce \u00e0 votre participation. Nous sommes ind\u00e9pendants et pour le rester, nous avons besoin de vous !\u00a0Vous pouvez nous soutenir \u00e0 partir de 2 euros par mois<\/a><\/strong> (d\u00e9fiscalis\u00e9 \u00e0 66 %), ou en\u00a0devenant membre actif par ici<\/a><\/strong>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n In her version of \u201cI am Tajik\u201d, Madina Nigmatova draws attention to the widespread stereotype of the accomplished woman who, in Tajik society, is often perceived as a divorced woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Modern women easily combine family life, professional achievement and personal fulfilment: some make pastries, others create and run online businesses, while others work as makeup artists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also read on Novastan : Contr\u00f4le de l\u2019habillement des femmes au Tadjikistan\u00a0: entre tradition et r\u00e9pression<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen the videos were shared in different groups, many comments said that, to reflect the true image of the Tajik woman, they should have shown how to cook, sweep the yard or milk cows. The Tajik woman, the kelinka, is not limited to the role of servant. She is a full person who seeks fulfilment and balance between private life and career. I feel immense admiration for them,\u201d says Madina Nigmatova.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This trend emerged last year, when several bloggers shared a joint video in which they said they were Tajik women and that this did not prevent them from \u201cbuilding a career\u201d, \u201cliving separately from their parents\u201d, \u201cdressing as they wish\u201d, \u201crunning a blog\u201d, \u201cnot being married at 32\u201d, \u201cdoing business\u201d, or \u201ccreating a company\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also read on Novastan : Comment l\u2019appareil judiciaire discrimine les femmes au Tadjikistan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The video sparked fierce controversy and a wave of hatred, particularly because the young women spoke in Russian while presenting themselves as Tajik. Yet the negative reactions did not manage to put an end to the trend. On the contrary, the more malicious comments multiplied, the more they increased the feeling of exhaustion with social injunctions. What women once kept silent out of shame, they now express more freely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Tajik, I am 26 years old and I am postponing marriage because I am afraid of drastic changes in life; the institution of marriage frightens me because I have seen few successful examples around me,\u201d Leila writes on her page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Tajik: I got married at 37. My only daughter is four and a half. I am 43. I lived and continued my studies in Italy, in the south to be precise. I have lived in Russia for 18 years. Before becoming an eyebrow specialist, I worked for 12 years as a stylist, buyer and merchandising department manager in major companies in Moscow,\u201d Zarina says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also read on Novastan : Faut-il renforcer l\u2019arsenal juridique contre les violences sexistes au Tadjikistan ?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am a Tajik woman who finished a Russian school in Tajikistan and I did not get married straight away. I am Tajik and I grew up in a traditional family and no, I was not scolded, we never argued before I left. On the contrary, I was truly supported,\u201d writes Omina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Tajik and I do not allow myself to give unsolicited advice, such as: \u2018One child is not enough, you need to have another one. It is not in your plans? Then your husband will end up leaving you,\u2019\u201d says Shakhzoda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Tajik, and I deliberately chose to marry a Kazakh, simply because that is what I wanted. When I want something, I refuse to forbid myself from having it,\u201d says Bargigul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These posts regularly receive thousands of views and hundreds of comments. Women tend to leave positive and inspiring replies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By contrast, fuelled by underlying misogyny, comments from men are generally far from encouraging. They include: \u201cyour eyes are not those of a Tajik woman\u201d, \u201cyou dishonour the nation\u201d, and \u201cmarrying a foreigner destroys the Tajik gene\u201d. Many other comments in the same vein seek to discredit the activities and positions taken by many women in Tajikistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The phrase \u201cI am Tajik\u201d can be personalised by adding something for which one has been criticised, felt shame, or which is, on the contrary, a source of pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples include: \u201c\u2026 and I earn much more than men\u201d, \u201c\u2026 and I do not know how to make plov, and that is perfectly fine\u201d, \u201c\u2026 and I speak five languages\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also read on Novastan : Ces femmes tadjikes qui s\u2019approprient les professions \u00ab\u00a0masculines\u00a0\u00bb<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The video is often filmed in a pleasant setting where the women feel safe, with a posture intended to appear authentic. Traditional elements of Tajik culture in clothing or decor are often highlighted, because promoting cultural heritage and traditions is not incompatible with feminist emancipation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hashtags #iamtajik, #tajikgirlpower and #ihavetheright often accompany these messages and help them spread more widely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many Tajik girls have also taken part in the \u201cduxtari tojik\u201d trend, meaning Tajik girl. In these videos, they embody women from different regions of the country, challenging the boundaries of regionalism \u2014 a phenomenon that remains very present in Tajik society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accompanied by a song by Tajik singer Nobovar Chanorov<\/a>, which evokes girls from different regions, the emphasis is placed on cultural richness and regional identity rather than geographical division.<\/p>\n\n\n Want more Central Asia in your inbox? Subscribe to our newsletter here.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI did not know there were so many styles of traditional clothing in our country,\u201d Bahora says in one of her videos. Several moved internet users responded by highlighting friendship between all regions of Tajikistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The message is regularly shared in several languages. At the request of her followers, makeup artist Farangis offers looks inspired by different regions of Tajikistan, accompanied by brief explanations in Tajik, Russian and English. The movement goes beyond the country\u2019s borders and more broadly inspires women from neighbouring countries. This is notably the case of an Uzbek blogger who also joined the movement, presenting the wedding dresses of Tajik women from different regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This trend unites Tajik women across the continent: from Iran to China, each video brings its own personal touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The editorial team of Your.tj<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Translated from Russian<\/a> by Lisa D\u2019Addazio and from French<\/a> by Mathieu Lemoine <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBeyond imposed roles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nA subtle deconstruction of prejudice<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A long-standing trend<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Multiple demands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Backlash and masculinist reactions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A simple format<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are different, but we are all Tajik\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n