KZ in AZ

So what have I been up to?? Where do I start!?!?! I have been so busy with work. Since I got here I have written 8 grants. One of which I have gotten and have begun work on, one that I just got word on Friday we were approved for, and one that is in the final stages of review, but looks very positive. Who knew I was a grant writer? Not me that’s for sure. I thought I’d only talk about the one I have begun work on in this blog.

So the project is basically informing women about the Azerbaijan Family code funded by the Norwegian Embassy. To briefly explain if women get divorced here the law states that the husband gets 100% of everything. It doesn’t matter whose fault it was or who asked for a divorce (which in this culture is only men anyways.) Women who have experienced divorce often have to orphan their children and move back in with their parents. This is because they don’t have money to support their children and a divorced woman is “spoiled” and will never be able to be married again. It’s a very tragic situation and although taboo happens much more often then people would like to believe.

Our project aims to reach over 150 young women from Khachmaz, Mingachevir, Zagatala and Lankaran regions on the Family Code and incite discussions of this issue within the regional population. We are doing this by conducting seminars and having informative discussions on talk shows on regional television stations. We talk about family and marriage explaining the juridical aspects. We inform these women about Family Code and Marriage Contracts. By using regional TV as a resource we hope to attract broad audience to have discussions on this issue. We hope this will lead to participation in the restoration of the violated women rights and create sense of self-confidence among women. Ultimately, our goal would lead to the prevention of women marrying without state registration. With this registration they will before marriage arrange what would happen to them in the event of a divorce.

This is a very difficult topic as people in America don’t like Pre-nups you can imagine how hard it is to have this discussion in a culture where divorce is so taboo and essentially ruins a women’s life. We have done a seminar in Balakan (a small city outside of Zagatala) as well as had a discussion on Zagatala’s "Ay-Gun" Regional Television station. I am of course not on TV, but I go to the seminars and watch the filming of our segments which are in all in Azeri language as they should be. So far I think this project has gone very well and I am enjoying the process. I am more involved with making sure the seminars run smoothly and are interactive and enjoyable.

Another project I have been working hard on is the revamping of a group of resource centers located in various regions previously run by the National Democratic Institute (NDI). Currently we are submitting documentation to create a new NGO (non- Government Organization) which is similar to a non-profit organization in America, that these resources centers will be members of and that NDI will grant fund. My counterpart will be the director and founder of this new NGO putting him in charge of all 7 resource centers. However, each resource center has a director and assistant full time staff of their own. Each resource center also has at least 2 computers with internet (free of charge for the community), daily/weekly newspapers from all over Azerbaijan (free of charge for the community to read), and a large meeting space.

The problem with these resource centers is that they don’t always function as they should. I have been to all the centers and they all vary in size and community activity. I am working on having Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) in the regions with the centers to use them and make sure the centers are open and see if they are being used. Just by you supporting them PCV’s will increase their activity. The idea is that these become truly Azeri run and owned resource centers as oppose to NDI owned and ran. This has proven to be a big job but I think it will also make a big difference in the Azeri community. The scope of this project is huge!

On top of that I am working on an English Language Resource Library that my ex-site mate Erin was unable to finish before the end of her close of service. I am creating a dewy decimal system for our books and creating a system and schedule for librarians. I also have my usual conversation clubs 3 days a week and my girls group once a week.

I have been told I’m the busiest volunteer in my group. I’m not sure if that is true but I rarely have time to myself in which I am not sleeping. In the time that I do I have I find myself learning/experimenting with cooking and becoming quite the chef. I have also adopted a kitten from another PCV’s cat. I named him Mo and have grown attached. I think for me “pet therapy” is a real necessity. Having Mo has made me much happier n my home life. I always knew I needed animals in my life, the difference in quality of life with a pet (for me) is remarkable.

I also went on vacation with MB and some family in May. We went to Italy and I had a great and relaxing time. It was a nice break from my busy schedule.

Below I have some pictures from my seminar in Balakan and one of MB and I in Italy.

Much love to all of you,
Kat Zig

Disclaimer: “The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps.”