Daria Zybeleva

I studied international relations at the Diplomatic Academy in Russia and received my Master's degree in international security from Charles University in Prague. After that, I moved to Madrid, where I was studying Spanish while doing my internship at an NGO. My first application for the position of a UN Volunteer was not successful; however, in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, I received an invitation for an interview from the UN, and then, the long-awaited offer for a position in Tajikistan.

Since then, I have been living in Dushanbe where I started working as a UN Youth Volunteer. After a year, I got a UNV Specialist contract, which was very important for me as I realized that my agency valued me.

In addition to project monitoring and evaluation, I am working on gender equality issues. Gender inequality is one of the most pressing issues in Tajikistan and, more generally, in Central Asia.

Among my personal achievements, I am proud of the "16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence" campaign. Last year, my colleague and I organised a series of events aiming at raising awareness on this issue and preventing gender-based violence in Tajikistan. For instance, we organised anonymous art therapy sessions with a psychologist for women who were once victims of violence and who remain in abusive relationships. Subsequently, with the consent of the participants, our office organised an exhibition, where anyone could buy a painting for a nominal fee. In this way, we wanted to show the participants that they can escape economic abuse by creating their own products and earning money. I like to think that for some of them the proceeds from the sale could be the impetus to start a new life without violence.

Many participants of the project continued taking therapy sessions, which was a significant result of our work. Eastern culture often entails that people should pretend they are doing okay even if it is not the truth; however, these therapy sessions helped participants to realize that they can and should leave the place where they are abused or their rights are violated. It was also important for them to realize that they were not alone.

Volunteering at the UN has diversified my knowledge and skills, but above all, it has exposed me to a new country and a new culture, responsive and professional people who will stay with me even after the mission ends, despite distances and time zones.

I think UN volunteering is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a very different reality, to challenge yourself and to put into practice the principle of "learning by doing". In addition, living and working in a context that is different from what you are used to destroys prejudices that are inherent to all of us in one way or another, and thus helps you become more flexible and learn to adapt.