To mark 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 forum catalyzed key policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to reflect on the progress and reaffirm commitment to improving the child protection system in the country.
This year's forum is a critical step forward in the efforts Tajikistan is making to uphold children's rights. One of the significant gains discussed at the event was Tajikistan's recent commitment to become the 67th country to end corporal punishment, an important move by a country to ultimately protect children from acts of violence and create a secure and dignified environment for all children.
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 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.
And in the next steps forward, community activists and experts spoke over the future steps Tajikistan had taken towards the elimination of corporal punishment and the protection of children against all harm.
While celebrating progress made, the forum emphasized commitment, creativity, and collaboration as key elements in the continuous child protection efforts.
UNICEF also acknowledged that the role of their partners in promoting child protection initiatives was equally important, including the Swiss Development Agency, the European Union, and the World Bank.
