National Conference to commemorate the International Children's Day

Dushanbe, 31 May 2024 - The National Commission on Child Rights under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, in partnership with UNICEF, the Swiss Government, and other development partners, organized the National Conference devoted to International Children’s Day. This year’s conference focused on the prevention of violence against children, highlighting Tajikistan's achievements and future steps.

On the eve of International Children’s Day, around one hundred representatives from state institutions, academia, international organizations, civil society, and the media gathered to celebrate Tajikistan's recent legislative success in banning all forms of violence against children. The conference was chaired by the Chairperson of the National Commission on Child Rights, Deputy Prime Minister Ms. Mansuri Dilrabo, and co-chaired by Ms. Eri Dwivedi, UNICEF Representative a.i., and Mr. Saidzoda Rahim, Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan.

“As the Minister, I condemn physical punishment of children in all its forms and recognize it as a violation of the fundamental rights of children and an obstacle to their education. The Ministry of Education and Science introduced a school reporting mechanism for children in more than 300 schools. This mechanism should be expanded and active in all institutions,” said Mr. Saidzoda Rahim, Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The Ministry of Justice presented recent legislative amendments that prohibit all forms of violence against children, allow children to appeal to state institutions without age limitations, and strengthen their right to have their views considered, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

"Corporal punishment is a violation of children's rights and has no place in a civilized society. This conference is celebrating Tajikistan’s achievements in prohibiting all forms of violence against children by law. It is a crucial step towards ending this harmful practice and ensuring the well-being of all children, but more needs to be done to ensure its implementation, including working with parents and caregivers on positive parenting skills to eradicate violence against children. Proper social services must be in place to support children and families in preventing violence against children," said Ms. Eri Dwivedi, UNICEF Representative a.i.

The Ministry of Education and Science presented results from the implementation of a school-based reporting mechanism on violence against children, piloted in over three hundred schools nationwide. This mechanism has proven effective in receiving and addressing reports from children.

“We congratulate the Government of Tajikistan on its steady move towards creating a safe and protective environment for children as part of its global commitment and following the Universal Periodic Review's recommendations. Switzerland is committed to supporting the Government of Tajikistan in taking further vital steps to stop violence against children and establish safety conditions for children everywhere to enjoy a life free from violence,” said Ms. Salome Steib, SDC Country Director.

Throughout the conference, participants emphasized that legislative amendments are only the first step. While fully agreeing on the adverse effects of corporal punishment presented by the World Health Organization, participants called for further steps to change the attitudes and behaviors of parents, caregivers, and others responsible for child rearing.

"As young activists, we feel a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for the government's genuine care and respect for our opinion. The recent legislative changes have given us the invaluable opportunity to have our voices heard, despite our age. We feel immensely proud that the young generation in Tajikistan can now freely express their views and submit reports without age barriers," said Shukrona Mirzoeva, Young Activist of the UNICEF Young Participants Advisory Group.

The participants also listened to the presentations on the Adverse Childhood Experiences and their consequences on child’s development and wellbeing.” Role of Social Service Workforce in Preventing and Responding to Violence Against Children” and “Implementation of the school-based VAC/SGBV reporting mechanism. Results achieved so far and next steps.”

“The most important aspect of the rights of a child, of course, is freedom from any type of violence. We need very strong and articulated mechanisms to prevent violence against children. Foremost, these mechanisms involve laws and regulations that effectively combat violence against children,” noted Raimundas Koroblis, EU Ambassador to Tajikistan.

The conference concluded with discussions and agreements among participants on the next steps to eradicate corporal punishment in practice, with clear timelines and actions to be taken. Following the conference, the delclaration of the event was presented to the participants.

“Together with our partners, the World Bank is supporting Tajikistan's efforts to provide children with nurturing care and protection. Protecting children and ensuring they receive nurturing care is a moral imperative and a strategic economic decision. We are laying the foundation for a more educated, skilled, and productive workforce by fostering an environment where children can thrive. This investment in human capital development is crucial for Tajikistan's long-term economic growth and stability,” said Ozan Sevimli, World Bank Country Manager for Tajikistan.