Shakhnoza (name changed), a 25-year-old woman from Uzbekistan, sought help after years of abuse at the hands of her husband and his family. Her story is a tragic example of how violence can take devastating forms in relationships, with women finding it difficult to seek help or even escape the cycle of abuse.
Married at a young age, Shahnoza dreamed of having children but was unable to get pregnant for a long time. After a medical examination, doctors discovered she had HIV. This diagnosis was a turning point in her life. After learning about the diagnosis, her husband categorically refused to undergo HIV testing, which caused Shakhnoza anxiety and bewilderment.
Unexpectedly for her, regular beatings and insults from her mother-in-law began. The woman found herself in the captivity of her own family – her mother-in-law forcibly kept her, forbidding her to communicate with her relatives and even to leave the house. In this situation, Shakhnoza found herself isolated, without support, and in complete dependence on her mother-in-law. She was humiliated, her every step was controlled, and her mother-in-law started looking for another woman for her son, which emphasized the cruelty of what was happening.
However, Shahnoza decided to take a life-changing step. She sought help from REActors, who provided legal counseling. Thanks to this support, she was able to return to her parents and start rebuilding her life.
Also read:
When love becomes a threat: How domestic violence in Tajikistan hides behind closed doors
A night meeting that became a nightmare: the story of a victim of violence in Moldova