DUSHANBE, April 11, Asia-Plus  -- Women now constitute more than 50 percent of personnel in the country’s education, health and culture sectors, Ms. Khairnizzo Yusufi, the chairperson of the Committee for Women and Family Affairs, announced at a press conference in Dushanbe on April 10.

According to her, of 63 seats in the Majlisi Namoyandagon, 11 are held by women.  Besides, women constitute 12 percent of 34 members of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament), Ms. Yusufi said.  

She added that 321 women currently take post-graduate course.

Ms. Yusufi noted that more than 150 Tajik female students now study at higher educational institutions in foreign countries, including Russia, Turkey, Iran, China, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and the United States.  

Speaking to reporters, she noted that the number of cases when female students, who had graduated from Tajik universities by presidential quota, do not return to their homes in the provinces to work with schools there, had increased. 

“Therefore, it was decided to conclude tripartite agreements among local authorities sending girls for studying in Tajik universities by presidential quota, universities and students’ parents,” said Mr. Yusufi.  “Under these agreements, if students do not want to return home to work with school in the provinces, their parents will reimburse funds spent by state on education of them.” 

5,448 students currently study at Tajik higher educational institutions by presidential quota.