Child Protection seeks to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable children against abuse, neglect, violence and discrimination. The children most in need of these services are street children, disabled children, orphans, children in conflict from the law, abused children etc. Funds for child protection services are not well distributed at district level. Although more in need of assistance, poorer areas are worst off because they depend on provision from the state budget, while richer are better provided for because the money comes from local taxation. There is no sole statistic regarding the number of orphanages or institutions in Kyrgyzstan because they are each under the jurisdiction of different ministries. However 88% of children living in these institutions are not orphans but are placed there by their families who cannot afford to keep them[1]. NGOs report that the budget for food is often not enough to feed the children or is misused and there are not enough resources to provide clothes, shoes or hygiene supplies. At the same time, they are very expensive for the state and alternatives, such as adoption, foster care and family homes would present advantages for both children and state. The adoption system to pull children out of these institutions has become very corrupt and therefore was embargoed under government rule until a more transparent system is put in place. An adoption law was approved in 2011 to give priority to domestic adoption, leaving international adoption to be considered only as a secondary solution, such as for the adoption of disabled children. Despite ongoing efforts to end institutionalisation, 2425 children with disabilities live in institutions where they are kept away from normal social interaction and often move on to adult institutions where they spend the rest of their lives. A further 547 children with disabilities are integrated in general secondary schools. UNICEF is currently conducting an analysis of the legal and social status of children in residential institutions throughout the country in the view to switch institution care into family oriented support services. UNICEF is collaborating with the Ministry of Social Protection and Bishkek City Mayor's office to create the first Child Support Centre for victims of child abuse in Bishkek. The Centre will provide social services including psychological consultations and legal support. Along with demonstrations of social services models, referral pathways will be developed and inter-agency cooperation will be enhanced in order to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect. Additionally, with UNICEF support, a child helpline will be established in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Protection and Child Helpline International. For the first time ever in Kyrgyzstan, abused children will have an opportunity to share their troubles and receive professional advice over the phone. A pilot project supported by UNICEF is being implemented in Bishkek to provide such youths with free legal and social support, separate investigative facilities, diversionary mechanisms and alternative sanctions and an Open Centre where children are referred for rehabilitation. Since March 2010, 17 children have been referred by the courts to rehabilitation programmes, and none of them have reoffended since. UNICEF is supporting the re-socialisation of children in two correctional facilities for boys and girls through special programs and methodical guidance of staff. Additionally, UNICEF is promoting the development and introduction of mediation services by training mediators on conciliatory measures towards children in conflict with the law.
[2] UNICEF, Child Abuse and Neglect in Families in the Kyrgyz Republic survey 2009 [3] National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic, 2011 [4] UNICEF, Situational Assessment of children in the Kyrgyz Republic, 2011, p32
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