DUSHANBE, February 28, Asia-Plus - A roundtable meeting formally titled “State of Children and Single Mothers” was held at the Kokhi Vahdat State Complex in Dushanbe on February 27.   

The event was staged by Women’s Discussion Club, which groups female representatives from public associations, political parties and media.   

The main objective of the meeting was in raising legal awareness of Tajik women.  During the meeting it was noted that because of poor knowledge of their rights and legal requirements, some 81 of divorced women couldn’t protect their rights and rights of their children after divorce suit.  

These 81 percent also include women who are second or third wife without formal status.  Wives in families without formal status, being bonded by a religious ceremony only entitled “nikoh”, are not legally protected.  After divorce entitled “taloq” (three times to refuse from a wife when the union is considered as completely terminated), woman cannot appeal to any instance on ownership and property disposal issues.   Women only lose, but not win in result of disputes regarding illegitimacy of marriage.   

Representatives from clergy noted at the meeting Islam encourages women in getting education and said that only well-educated woman is able to bring out the best in the rising generation.  

Participants at the meeting adopted recommendations on improvement of the situation for sending to relevant bodies.