They're not given the opportunity to complete their education or look for work. They are told who to marry, when to marry and when to have children. Even married women need to ask their husband's permission to leave the house. It's difficult for many Tajik women to have control over their own lives.
One way I try to fight stereotypes about women is through sports. Lots of people here, men and women alike, are used to thinking of girls as weak and uncoordinated. Of course, this isn't true: Girls can be just as athletic as boys. So I make a conscious effort to talk to everyone about why I love sports. I invite girls to get into sports and I prove to boys that girls can beat them in sports. I go running in the city almost every day with a mixed group of girls and boys. I hope that people who see us notice that the girls are always in the front, running faster than the boys. I love it when people come up to me and say they've seen me running. I feel like I'm proving every day that women can take charge of their bodies and own public spaces.
It can be hard to change people's minds about what they think is right. For example, I practice boxing with a male coach. Over the two years I've lived here, we've been kicked out of one gym after another because the gym directors think it's wrong for men and women to train together. The first time this happened, I was so frustrated that I went home and cried. I felt like I was being punished even though I hadn't done anything wrong. But the story ended happily: We finally got permission to train in the same gym as Tajikistan's Olympic medalist martial arts champions -- both of whom are women.
Even though I try my hardest to change people's minds, sometimes I just can't win.
