President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed the complex proposals to strengthen social protection for children and engage people with disabilities in sport. This initiative is based on the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which enshrines the right of every child to grow up in a family environment, the press office of the President of Uzbekistan reported.
With the aim of achieving the objectives of the From Poverty to Prosperity Programme, adopted by the Decree of the President on September 23, measures have been developed to prevent social orphanhood and support children without parental care. The focus is on creating conditions similar to a family environment and taking an individual approach to every child.
The new policy prioritises family upbringing through guardianship, trusteeship or adoption, considering the placement in specialised institutions as a last resort. The practice of placing children from poor families in houses of mercy is abolished, and compensation for kindergarten costs to low-income families is provided instead.
Particular attention is paid to supporting women planning to abandon a child. Special departments are being set up in orphanages that will provide comprehensive assistance, including social, legal and psychological support, as well as vocational training to abandoned children.
