In Tajikistan, children learn about their rights through theatre

RUDAKI, Tajikistan -  Munisa Husseinzoda works for a civil society organization called Mumtoz in western Tajikistan. Mumtoz is a Spotlight Initiative-supported organization that's creating safe spaces for children to learn about their rights.

Their My Safe World project is designed specifically to communicate with young audiences in a memorable and accessible way. 

“My Safe World has been reshaping young minds through the engaging medium of puppet theatre,” says Ms. Husseinzoda. “We are striving to prevent domestic and sexual violence against children by equipping them with essential knowledge about personal boundaries and safety circles. Through puppet theatre, the project not only imparts valuable lessons [about safety] but also delves into the concepts of gender equality and respectful behaviour towards girls.”

The idea for My Safe World was born out of a violent attack that shocked the community.

“A heart-wrenching case involving an 8-year-old girl who fell victim to sexual violence and was cruelly murdered,” says Ms. Husseinzoda. “In the wake of this devastating event, Mumtoz conducted a thorough statistical analysis that revealed a distressing pattern; over two years, there were 12 similar cases of violence against girls in the region.”

Mumtoz responded by crafting a comprehensive project focused on child safety. The core objectives were to raise children's awareness and instill a clear understanding of personal boundaries.

"My Safe World is not merely a project, it's a beacon of hope." - Munisa Husseinzoda, Mumtoz

The centrepiece of their efforts became a series of puppet theatre performances held in five local schools, reaching more than 10,000 children. All the narratives were prepared in close collaboration with psychologists to ensure that they resonated with children and left a lasting impact. 

These shows were complemented by information packs and a series of newspaper articles to reach the community more broadly. 

“A unique aspect of this project is the involvement of vulnerable women and children from a crisis centre, who crafted all the puppets used in the productions,” says Ms. Husseinzoda. “Many of these talented puppet artists are young boys who have embraced their roles with enthusiasm and creativity.”

“My Safe World is not merely a project,” she says. “It's a beacon of hope for the children of Rudaki, Tajikistan. It stands as a testament to the power of education, awareness and community engagement in creating safer and more secure environments for our most precious resource—our children.”