Second National Forum of Child Rights Commissions: Achievements and vision of child protection system development in Tajikistan

Dushanbe, 20 November 2024 – On the occasion of World Children's Day, UNICEF, in collaboration with the Government of Tajikistan, the European Union, the Swiss Development Agency, and the World Bank, convened the Second National Forum of Child Rights Commissions in Dushanbe. The event brought together policymakers, experts, and partners to celebrate achievements and reaffirm the commitment to strengthening the child protection system in Tajikistan.

This year’s forum marks a pivotal moment in Tajikistan’s journey toward safeguarding the rights of children. Notably, Tajikistan became the 67th nation worldwide to prohibit corporal punishment. This significant milestone reflects Tajikistan’s pledge to protect children from violence and build a society where every child can thrive in safety and dignity.

“One of the significant achievements is the introduction of relevant amendments to the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Education," effective from March 1, 2024. According to these amendments, general secondary education has been made mandatory, marking a major step forward in developing children's literacy and skills and securing their bright future. The global initiatives of the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, and President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, are being appropriately recognized and implemented at the international level. The proposal of the esteemed Leader of the Nation during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly to adopt a special resolution proclaiming the "Decade of Strengthening Peace for Future Generations" aims to promote peacemaking and the peaceful resolution of global challenges, ensuring a better future for the world’s children.” Dilrabo Mansuri, Deputy Prime Minister of Republic of Tajikistan.

The forum provided a platform to discuss the progress of the National Programme for Child Protection System Reform, which envisions a comprehensive, sustainable approach to preventing and addressing abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children. This initiative aligns with Tajikistan’s broader goals to strengthen social services and build resilience among children and families.

“The Republic of Tajikistan became the 67th country to legally prohibit all forms of violence against children. This is a significant achievement in protecting children from all forms of violence, and as we celebrate the World Children’s Day today, I congratulate the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan on this milestone,” said Arthur van Diesen, UNICEF Representative in Tajikistan.

During the forum, the National Commission on Child Rights presented the results of assessments of selected Local Child Rights Commissions (LCRCs). These assessments underscore the critical role of LCRCs in addressing child protection issues at the community level and highlight areas for improvement to enhance their impact.

“The Government of Switzerland and Unicef work very closely with schools to implement the violence reporting mechanism at a school level to be compliant with the international obligation of the ban of corporal punishment. We believe that it is of utmost importance, that children are aware of their rights and own safety. It is also important that they learn about unfriendly practices like mobbing and bulling and how to eliminate them. We need to join our forces that children grow up in a safe environment in order to live up to their full potential,” Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan Ms. Salome Steib.

The forum also explored the evolving role of the child protection system in addressing key challenges. Two critical topics were explored in group discussions during the forum in particular, ending violence against children in school and the role of social workers in working with families to prevent and respond to abuse and neglect of children. Participants reviewed the prevalence of violence in schools, identified challenges, and proposed practical solutions to ensure that schools become safe spaces for learning and development.

The outcomes of these discussions were presented at the end of the forum, providing actionable recommendations to guide future efforts in these critical areas.

Looking ahead, participants outlined the next steps in Tajikistan’s pledge to end corporal punishment and protect children from harm. These include:

• Strengthening the legal and policy framework to ensure alignment with international child rights standards.
• Expanding training for LCRC members and service providers on case management and child-friendly approaches.
• Promoting public awareness campaigns on positive discipline and child protection.
• Enhancing coordination between national and local levels to deliver integrated services to vulnerable children.

As Tajikistan celebrates its achievements, the forum served as a powerful reminder that protecting children’s rights is an ongoing effort requiring commitment, innovation, and collaboration.

UNICEF acknowledges the invaluable contributions of its partners, including the Swiss Development Agency, the European Union, and the World Bank, in driving the child protection agenda forward.