A. Kadirov
Tajikistan
The aim of social integration is to create a society
for all, where every individual has an active role to play. That society should be humane,
stable, safe, tolerant and just. While progress has been achieved in many areas, there
have also been negative developments, such as widening disparities and inequalities of
income and wealth within the nation, and marginalisation of some families and social
groups. Traditionally, the old and the disabled were recognized as groups in special need
of protection. The transition to the market economy has increased the extent of poverty
and changed its profile, leading to the need for new policy responses in the field of
social protection to ensure social cohesion and integration.
Social protection is a form of solidarity between people who receive
income from employment and those who do not because of age, health or unemployment.
Citizens of the country, under the Constitution, are entitled to social protection in
childhood, old age, sickness, disability, and the loss of a breadwinner (Article 39).
Prior to independence, there was a comprehensive system of social
welfare benefits, based on the principles of social solidarity. With a guarantee of full
employment, unemployment was unknown. For those unable to work there was an extensive
system of disability and old age benefits, and for families with young children, there
were generous child benefits. Coverage of benefits was universal and almost every
household was eligible for at least one. In addition to cash benefits there were numerous
"benefits-in-kind" including free pre-school and child care, free or heavily
subsidized holiday camps, subsidized housing and utilities, free cultural and sport
facilities and generous maternity leaves.
Over the last five years, civil conflict and the economic and social
dislocation associated with transition have both exacerbated the disadvantage of the
"old poor" - pensioners, families with large numbers of children and single
parent families - and given rise to new groups of poor in need of social cash transfers.
Most prominent amongst these are the "working poor". The earnings of many
breadwinners are simply not sufficient to cover the costs of daily living and the average
per capita income is lower than the minimal consumption budget.
As well as the working poor, there has been an increase in the number
of able-bodied men and women without work. The registered unemployment rate in 1998 was
3,2%, although real unemployment may be as high as a one-fourth of the economically active
population. Finally, many men lost their lives during the conflict, with the result that
there has been an increase in the number of female-headed households.
However, at the same time as the increase in the number of vulnerable
people, the ability of the Government to fund social protection has been severely
curtailed. The state budget has fallen in real terms. Existing systems of assistance to
the most vulnerable have come under increasing pressure, due to rising numbers of people
in need coinciding with tightening fiscal constraints. The value of benefits has fallen in
real terms and the number of recipients has been reduced rather than expanded. A new
strategy is needed, which targets cash benefits for the most vulnerable and provides an
enabling environment for those that cannot help themselves.
The issue of Gender Equality is one of the most important components of
the Human Capability and Equity. Gender Equality is a fundamental aspect of human
development. Empowering women is essential for achieving the goal of sustainable human
development centered on human beings. It requires appropriate public policies to ensure
that women enjoy all human rights and basic freedoms and participate fully and equally in
all spheres of public life, including decision-making. Women must be regarded as both
equal agents for and beneficiaries of change. Investing in the capabilities of women is a
way to contribute to economic growth and development.
While the status of women has advanced in some important respects,
progress has been uneven. The legal basis for equality has been created, but gender
disparities still persist in the country. Capabilities have been expanded, but women have
limited access to choices. The dislocation of transition has disproportionally affected
women. Sectors, which employed a high proportion of women, have been hardest hit, and
women are at a disadvantage in a competitive and limited labor market. The collapse of the
social safety net has also impacted upon women, as they are faced with the responsibility
of ensuring that a limited household budget is translated in adequate food on the table.
Enrolment rates are declining faster for girls than for boys and in areas where
traditional values have re-emerged, girls are encouraged to leave school at the end of
primary classes. Gender in education are thus widening rather than narrowing.