Social inequality among children.
Recently, Uzbekistan has been paying great attention to the protection of children's rights. An important event was the Republic of Uzbekistan's accession to the Bogota Call to Action and its admission to the Global Alliance to End Violence Against Children. This subsequently led to the adoption of the 2026-2030 strategy for the protection of children from all forms of violence. This strategy outlines measures to ensure the safety of children, but does this apply to all children? In 2025, the law “On the Protection of Children from All Forms of Violence” came into force. According to the law, there are six types of violence:
1. Physical violence
2. Sexual violence
3. Psychological violence
4. Exploitation
5. Bullying
6. Neglect
Children who have been subjected to at least one type of violence can report it through their parents, school psychologists, or the mahallah where they live. A helpline, 1146, has also been set up, which children can call to get help. When it is determined that a child has been abused by their parents or legal guardians, the social protection agency removes the child from the family and places them with a foster family. This is a family model where the child has parents, a home, and the opportunity to learn. The state pays money to such families for the care of the child. Such changes are certainly welcome, but what about children who live in the country but are not registered at birth or are registered but ignored by the state? More than 38 million people live in the country, while the rest are not counted because they do not have identity documents. And perhaps this serves as an excuse for their neglect by the state and society. While walking around, you can see children selling napkins or simply begging for money, while other children spend their time at school or at home, they are doomed to child labour regardless of the cold or heat. Everyone sees these children every day and walks past them, not only ordinary people, but also government officials. Why are the laws that are passed to protect children not applied to them? They are exploited throughout their childhood, but no one protects their rights. We hold meetings and gatherings explaining the importance of children's rights and their protection, and we have even developed a strategy, but we ignore the very children who need it most simply because of their origin. We say, “Gypsies have their own customs, and we don't interfere,” but this statement does not justify anything. They live on our territory, and the laws should apply to them too. They should have rights and privileges and be integrated into society. No one should be held responsible based on their No one should be held responsible for their background, especially a child. Like every child, they have their dreams; they want to go to school and in the future hold a certain position and their place in society, but how sad it is to look into their eyes and know that they do not and will not have such an opportunity. At a time when laws protect even animals, living people remain in the shadow of the state. Why? Because of their origin, or because we are used to seeing them that way?
Recently, Uzbekistan has been paying great attention to the protection of children's rights. An important event was the Republic of Uzbekistan's accession to the Bogota Call to Action and its admission to the Global Alliance to End Violence Against Children. This subsequently led to the adoption of the 2026-2030 strategy for the protection of children from all forms of violence. This strategy outlines measures to ensure the safety of children, but does this apply to all children? In 2025, the law “On the Protection of Children from All Forms of Violence” came into force. According to the law, there are six types of violence:
1. Physical violence
2. Sexual violence
3. Psychological violence
4. Exploitation
5. Bullying
6. Neglect
Children who have been subjected to at least one type of violence can report it through their parents, school psychologists, or the mahallah where they live. A helpline, 1146, has also been set up, which children can call to get help. When it is determined that a child has been abused by their parents or legal guardians, the social protection agency removes the child from the family and places them with a foster family. This is a family model where the child has parents, a home, and the opportunity to learn. The state pays money to such families for the care of the child. Such changes are certainly welcome, but what about children who live in the country but are not registered at birth or are registered but ignored by the state? More than 38 million people live in the country, while the rest are not counted because they do not have identity documents. And perhaps this serves as an excuse for their neglect by the state and society. While walking around, you can see children selling napkins or simply begging for money, while other children spend their time at school or at home, they are doomed to child labour regardless of the cold or heat. Everyone sees these children every day and walks past them, not only ordinary people, but also government officials. Why are the laws that are passed to protect children not applied to them? They are exploited throughout their childhood, but no one protects their rights. We hold meetings and gatherings explaining the importance of children's rights and their protection, and we have even developed a strategy, but we ignore the very children who need it most simply because of their origin. We say, “Gypsies have their own customs, and we don't interfere,” but this statement does not justify anything. They live on our territory, and the laws should apply to them too. They should have rights and privileges and be integrated into society. No one should be held responsible based on their No one should be held responsible for their background, especially a child. Like every child, they have their dreams; they want to go to school and in the future hold a certain position and their place in society, but how sad it is to look into their eyes and know that they do not and will not have such an opportunity. At a time when laws protect even animals, living people remain in the shadow of the state. Why? Because of their origin, or because we are used to seeing them that way?
Erkinova Amina.
