Shuhrat Saidov

Public Health and Human Rights

TAJIKISTAN

About Shuhrat

Shuhrat Saidov is a human rights defender, photographer, and curator with a background in law. Working in the fields of Public Health and Human Rights, Shuhrat advocates for and promotes human rights across Tajikistan. His work aims to use both art and law to advance human rights, gender equality, tolerance, feminism, and gender diversity.

As an activist and human rights defender deeply committed to human rights and social justice, I have developed a strong personal and professional interest in promoting well-being, care, and resilience among activists, human rights defenders, and community leaders. Over the years of working in Tajikistan, I have witnessed the challenges faced by activists and community leaders who promote human rights and activism. These challenges often include burnout, mental health issues, and even physical threats. Activists often face challenges and their well-being is essential not only for their own lives but also for the sustainability of their movements. This understanding has led me to focus on holistic security, which integrates mental, emotional, and physical health into a broader framework of security and resilience.

Furthermore, I believe that care must extend beyond individuals and encompass communities. Building collective resilience means creating an environment that prioritizes empathy, inclusivity, and shared responsibility, ensuring that no one feels isolated in their fight for justice.
Art and storytelling have also become powerful tools in my approach to wellness. As a photographer and curator, I explore the intersection of art and activism, using creative mediums to amplify the voices of marginalized communities while offering healing spaces for expression and connection. Art can be a form of resistance, but it can also be a refuge—an opportunity to process difficult emotions and see hope in the face of adversity. Through photography exhibitions and collaborative art projects, I encourage activists to tell their own stories, reclaim their narratives, and find support in their experiences.

I am continually inspired by the resilience and courage of the people I work with. Their unwavering commitment to justice motivates me to continue to explore innovative ways to support them. By prioritizing care, resilience, and holistic safety, I hope to contribute to a culture where activists can thrive rather than simply survive while creating meaningful change in their communities and beyond.

About Public Health and Human Rights

The Public Foundation Public Health and Human Rights was founded in 2014. The main focus of the foundation’s work is the protection and promotion of human rights, in particular the rights of women, social justice, and the well-being of activists and community leaders across Tajikistan.

The Foundation has three main programs:

1. an advocacy and human rights program that deals with advocacy for the promotion of human rights at the national and international levels. The program collects violations in the field of human rights for further submission of these violations in the prepared alternative reports to various UN Committees. It also promotes human rights through the ideas of art-activism in the country, including various educational events on human rights, gender equality, stigma and discrimination, as well as tolerance.
2. a health care program that deals with health issues, which includes various educational activities in the field of prevention of HIV and various sexually transmitted diseases, counseling on medical issues, in particular women’s reproductive rights;
3. well-being program, deals with the security of activists and human rights defenders, including issues of physical, psychological and digital security. Within the framework of this program, activities are carried out to burn out activists, public figures and human rights defenders.

We believe that change starts with people, so our programming focuses primarily on capacity building, holistic security, and well-being. Through training, community outreach, and support networks, we equip people with the tools to overcome challenges and thrive in their roles. Additionally, our organization uses art and storytelling to amplify people’s voices and promote a deeper understanding of the diverse experiences in our communities.

Collaboration is at the core of our work. We partner with local and international organizations to amplify our impact and ensure that our initiatives address systemic inequalities. Together, we strive to create a society where every person can contribute to shaping a more just and compassionate future.

Shuhrat & Public Health and Human Rights can provide:

As an individual consultant and organizational representative, I provide expert services in the areas of human rights advocacy, holistic security, and capacity building for activists, community leaders, and organizations. My services include well-being and resilience training, strategic planning for human rights organizations, and creative approaches to storytelling and community engagement through art. I also offer art therapy tools and sound therapy practices.

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