On the eve of June 1 – International Day for Protection of Children – Uzbekistan reflects on the outcomes of the large-scale reforms of recent years aimed at improving the well-being of children. These transformations embody the words of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev that the preparation of the personnel who will secure the country’s future begins precisely with the upbringing and education of children from an early age, and today, a solid foundation is being laid for this purpose.
In Uzbekistan, care for the younger generation has been elevated to the level of state policy, grounded in deep humanistic and family values. It is no coincidence that the renewed Constitution enshrines that the family and childhood are under state protection and that human dignity and rights are society’s highest values. Every year on June 1, vibrant festive events for children are held nationwide – from concerts and competitions to heartwarming “wish fulfillment” campaigns, where many children receive long-awaited gifts and attention. However, the greatest gift the state gives them remains daily care and real positive change: new schools, hospitals, laws, and programs that create increasingly favorable conditions for the younger generation.
Investing in the Future
Education is the key to unlocking every child’s potential, and in recent years, Uzbekistan has made a genuine breakthrough in this sphere. According to the Statistics Agency, 748 new schools have been built over the past five years, increasing the total number of schools from 9,774 in the 2018/2019 academic year to 10,522 by the 2022/2023 academic year. By the start of the 2023/2024 academic year, the number of schools had already reached 10,750. These new educational institutions include modern Presidential Schools, specialized schools, and lyceums equipped with the latest technology, where gifted children from across the country receive support to develop their talents.
At the same time, reforms in educational content are being implemented. The National Program for the Development of School Education for 2022-2026 has been approved, under which next-generation textbooks were prepared for all grades by the 2023/2024 academic year. In 2025, a unified national curriculum will be introduced nationwide. Educational programs are being aligned with international standards: digital literacy and foreign language classes are introduced from the early grades, while middle grades incorporate programming basics and financial literacy. In 2024, 400 billion UZS were allocated for school digitalization. Today, 100 percent of the country’s schools are connected to the internet, equipped with Wi-Fi and local networks, providing children with access to boundless knowledge.
Special attention is being given to inclusive education. In the past, children with special needs were mainly educated in separate institutions, but now, under the Concept for the Development of Inclusive Education in the Public Education System for 2020-2025, regular schools are widely opening their doors to all. By the start of the new 2024/2025 academic year, more than 530 schools have created conditions for 1,195 children with disabilities to study alongside their peers. This is a bold and determined course to ensure that every child, regardless of health status, receives quality education and is fully integrated into society. International organizations, particularly UNICEF, have welcomed Uzbekistan’s policy, calling it “an example of a progressive approach”, as inclusive education enhances the quality of learning for all children.
It is important to emphasize that teachers’ work determines the effectiveness of the educational process. In recent years, their social status has risen significantly: salaries have increased, and the best of the best are awarded honorary titles and state awards. A system of regular professional development has been introduced: thousands of teachers have undergone training in modern methodologies, and many have been sent for internships abroad. The prestige of the teaching profession is growing in society, strengthening the foundation of school education.
A Healthy Generation – A Strong Nation
In recent years, Uzbekistan has significantly strengthened the material and technical base of pediatric healthcare. New high-tech medical facilities are opening in both the capital and the regions. For example, a second perinatal center has been launched in Tashkent, equipped according to the practices of leading international clinics: it houses a multidisciplinary polyclinic, neonatology departments, and pediatric intensive care units designed to treat 140 patients simultaneously. Similar perinatal centers and specialized children’s hospitals are being established nationwide, ensuring that mothers and infants receive timely, qualified care. Moreover, by law, state institutions provide all medical services for children and pregnant women, from vaccinations and newborn monitoring to the most complex surgeries, free of charge. As a result of these systemic measures, maternal and infant mortality rates are steadily decreasing, and more and more children are surviving and growing up healthy.
The nationwide childhood immunization program has become a source of pride for Uzbekistan’s healthcare system. Thanks to this program, many dangerous infections have been eliminated in the country. Vaccination now covers nearly 100 percent of newborns and young children. Notably, Uzbekistan was one of the first countries in the region to introduce vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) – a vaccine that protects girls from cervical cancer. Since this vaccine was added to the national immunization schedule in 2019, coverage has exceeded 94 percent of girls aged 12-14 with at least one dose of the HPV vaccine, making it one of the highest rates in the world.
A separate focus area is protecting children’s mental health and well-being. Broad studies have been conducted on the psychological climate in schools for the first time, and a National Action Plan for Improving the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents for 2023-2026 has been prepared. The position of school psychologist has been introduced in all general education institutions. As of today, 100 percent of them have undergone training according to new standards, including suicide and stress prevention among students. A health and safety fundamentals course has been integrated into the curricula, through which 6.5 million schoolchildren (50 percent girls) have gained knowledge about healthy lifestyles, mental hygiene, and resilience skills. Practical support services are also being established – from school counseling centers to helplines – ensuring that no child faces their problems alone.
Protection of Children’s Rights
To ensure the well-being of children, the state is strengthening its legal framework and institutions to protect their rights. In 2019, the position of the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Children’s Rights (Children’s Ombudsman) was introduced in the country. In March 2024, the President signed a separate Law “On the Children’s Ombudsman”, significantly expanding the powers of this institution. The Children’s Ombudsman now has the right to defend the interests of children in court, visit without restriction any institutions where minors are present, and present an annual report to parliament on the state of children’s rights. Moreover, all draft laws affecting children are subject to mandatory coordination with the Ombudsman under the new law. This guarantees that the perspective of children’s rights protection is considered when making important state decisions.
2023 was marked by historic changes to the country’s Basic Law. The renewed Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan was adopted, further strengthening the guarantees of children’s rights. In particular, the Constitution explicitly enshrines bans on child labor and forced labor, which fully align with international standards and the spirit of humanism. At the same time, labor legislation has been updated: the list of heavy and hazardous jobs prohibited for persons under 18 has been expanded. Furthermore, in 2021, Uzbekistan ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, thereby further reinforcing international-level guarantees of the rights of children with disabilities. The country has also strengthened cooperation with international organizations, signing new agreements with the ILO and other partners to monitor compliance with labor rights, including those of young workers.
Legislators focus on supporting vulnerable categories of children. The state is implementing policies that encourage placing orphans and children left without parental care into family-based children’s homes. Across various regions, state-run orphanages (“Mehribonlik” homes) are gradually being closed, and children are either reunited with their biological families or find new adoptive parents. For example, two orphanages in Kashkadarya region were among the first to be closed down, and the children saw the warmth of family life. Additionally, in 2019-2021, Uzbekistan carried out a series of humanitarian operations called “Mehr” (Mercy), through which hundreds of Uzbekistan citizens, predominantly women and children, were repatriated from conflict zones in the Middle East. Thanks to comprehensive rehabilitation and support, these children successfully adapted to a peaceful life, demonstrating the country’s firm commitment to the principle that no child is ever “someone else’s child”. In April 2022, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev personally met with adoptive parents, expressing his gratitude for their generosity: “I bow before you and thank you for carrying out the policy of our state, for sheltering children and welcoming them into your families. You set an example of nobility and reflect the spirituality of our people… Our nation deeply values such actions”. These heartfelt words reflect the state’s stance: nothing can replace a family for a child, and therefore, families raising adopted children receive comprehensive support and honor.
Holistic Development of the Individual
In addition to formal education, the country has created broad opportunities for the creative, spiritual, and physical development of young citizens. In 2019, the President established the “Barkamol Avlod” network of children’s schools – modern centers of extracurricular education based on the former children’s creativity centers. Such schools are being opened in every district, where thousands of boys and girls attend clubs and studios free of charge, from robotics and programming to arts, music, and traditional crafts. Since the 2020/2021 academic year, all “Barkamol Avlod” schools have introduced STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics), children’s libraries, and even special tourist bases for 100-200 students to promote youth tourism. The state has significantly increased funding for these institutions: the salaries of extracurricular education teachers have been raised by 1.5 times, attracting talented professionals to work with children.
An integral part of a holistic upbringing is sports and a healthy lifestyle. Across the country, new sports grounds, stadiums, swimming pools, and youth sports schools are being built. In 2021-2022, as part of mahalla-based initiatives, 623 modern sports grounds were opened in mahalla courtyards. Mass children’s competitions and festivals are held annually. For example, the Five Initiatives Olympiad – a comprehensive competition among schools, colleges, and universities covering five areas (education, culture, sports, information technology, and reading) – reached 12 million youth participants in 2023. This grand movement not only identifies talented young people but also drives infrastructure improvements: in the districts that won the Olympiad, the state has built new facilities such as stadiums, creative centers, and libraries.
The strengthening of cultural values is supported by numerous children’s creative festivals and competitions. Each year, with government support, national festivals of young talents in music, visual arts, and theatrical performance are held. The best of the best receive presidential scholarships and grants. In Tashkent, the first 24/7 Creative Park was established in 2023 on the premises of the Youth Creativity Palace. Children and teenagers can engage in innovative projects, science, and the arts at any time in this space. In this way, children’s leisure time is filled with meaningful and engaging activities that help shape well-rounded individuals who cherish their culture and lead healthy lifestyles.
Particular attention is also given to the spiritual and moral upbringing of the younger generation. Schools are introducing programs to study the history, traditions, and values of the Uzbekistan people, and significant work is being done to foster respect for elders, love for the Motherland, tolerance, and a strong work ethic. Family values are also promoted through public campaigns and media initiatives. As a result, a generation that is not only educated but also highly moral and patriotic is growing up.
In this same spirit, at the end of 2023, the Head of State launched the initiative to establish a nationwide Children’s Organization of Uzbekistan. This movement will unite the country’s children to foster the comprehensive development of their abilities, cultivate leadership qualities, and nurture patriotism. Establishing such an organization will become essential in working with the younger generation, instilling a spirit of friendship, mutual assistance, and love for the Motherland from an early age.
Supporting Family and Motherhood
The foundation of a happy childhood is a well-supported family, so state policy aims to strengthen the institution of family, motherhood, and fatherhood. Social assistance measures for families with children have been significantly expanded in recent years. Even at the height of the pandemic in 2020, Shavkat Mirziyoyev ordered a 10 percent increase in the coverage of low-income families receiving child benefits and childcare payments, ensuring that no family in need was left without support. Today, tens of thousands of families receive monthly allowances for children up to 14. Large and socially vulnerable families receive targeted financial assistance through the mahalla community funds. Upon the birth of a child, all women receive a one-time state allowance, and families with two or more children benefit from discounts on kindergarten fees, utility payments, and access to housing loans.
Significant progress has been made in the area of maternal health protection. The quality of prenatal care has improved: every expectant mother undergoes at least four mandatory medical check-ups, fully funded by the state. A well-developed network of screening centers enables the early detection and treatment of conditions in pregnant women and newborns. Thanks to the modernization of maternity hospitals and perinatal centers and the provision of modern equipment, there has been a noticeable reduction in maternal and infant mortality. While in 2000 there were 43 cases of maternal mortality per 100,000 births, by 2023 this figure had decreased to 26, and efforts to further reduce risks are ongoing. More and more babies are being born healthy: according to estimates, over 95 percent of newborns immediately receive necessary vaccinations and undergo medical examinations within their first month of life.
The state is creating conditions that allow parents to balance work with raising children. In fact, within a short period, the long-standing problem of a shortage of kindergartens has begun to be systematically addressed, including through public-private partnership mechanisms, where entrepreneurs, together with the government, open new preschool institutions. Today, tens of thousands of mothers who previously stayed home due to a lack of available childcare have returned to work, knowing their young children are in safe, developmentally supportive environments.
The care for motherhood and childhood permeates all levels of governance, from the national to the mahalla level. Uzbekistan has a unique institution of hokim assistants on family and women’s affairs, who work directly with each family, especially where there are pregnant women, young mothers, or parents of many children. They help address household problems, find employment, access preferential loans, or receive education. This personalized approach helps strengthen each family, prevent crises, and create an atmosphere of care and love for children.
Notably, when determining the national development priorities, attention to the younger generation was emphasized symbolically as well: by presidential decree, 2021 was declared the Year of Supporting Youth and Strengthening Public Health. This initiative united the efforts of the state and society for the health and well-being of the younger generation.
The International Day for Protection of Children is not only a celebration of joy for little ones but also an occasion to reflect on the work accomplished and outline new horizons. Uzbekistan actively cooperates with UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO, and other international partners, adopting best global practices and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to education, health, and child well-being. It can be said with pride that the generation now taking shape is growing up in an environment of love, care, and boundless opportunities for development. Inspired by the support of the state, this young generation is already achieving its first successes – winning international olympiads, sports tournaments, and creative competitions, bringing honor to the Motherland.
New Uzbekistan greets this holiday not with words, but with concrete actions and achievements. Caring for children has genuinely become a nationwide movement, and it can be said with confidence: a country raising such educated, healthy, and happy children has a bright and great future.
Abduaziz Khidirov, UzA