President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on November 5th became acquainted with the presentation of proposals on nurturing children in need of social protection and involving persons with disabilities in sports. This was reported by the Presidential Press Service.
The convention on the rights of the child stipulates that growing up in a family environment is an inherent right of the child. According to UNICEF, half of the orphans in the world are not covered by social protection services.
The program "From Poverty to Prosperity," adopted by our state leader's decree on September 23 this year, defines tasks of preventing social orphanhood, providing care and upbringing in an environment close to a family for orphans and children deprived of parental care, based on an individual approach.
In line with this, measures aimed at placing such children in foster care and providing them with social services have been developed.
In particular, priority will be given to preserving the family environment when placing a child in foster care. First and foremost, guardianship, patronage, or adoption are encouraged. Placement in a specialized institution is considered as a last resort.
The practice of placing children in orphanages and children's homes due to the poverty of their families will be abolished. If representatives of poor families find employment, they will be compensated for kindergarten expenses for their child until the age of three years from the Social Protection Fund.
"Mothers' Houses" will be organized in children's homes, where mothers wishing to abandon their children will be placed. They will be provided with social, legal, psychological, and medical services, taught parenting skills, and assisted in acquiring a profession.
Non-governmental organizations will also be widely involved in organizing such services.
Children in difficult life situations will be placed in a family-type children's home by the "Human" center until they are given up for adoption. An individual development plan will be developed for the children to be adopted.
Identification of orphans and information of persons wishing to adopt them will be registered in the "Social Protection" information system. "Human" centers will be designated as the legal representative of the children, protecting their rights and interests.
Additionally, these centers will monitor the living conditions of the adopted children, the targeted use of aids, and the obligations of the adopters.
Citizens who establish a family-type children's home will be recognized as self-employed persons. Expenses for living and upbringing until the completion of general secondary or secondary specialized education will be covered for the children raised in such families.
Based on the experience of developed countries, another document – the law on "Protection of Children from All Forms of Violence" – has been approved. It strengthens the legal framework in this area and clearly defines the state bodies protecting children from violence, as well as their authority. Our president has signed this law.
The presentation also reviewed proposals aimed at involving persons with disabilities in sports.
In our country, conditions have been created to engage in 19 types of parasports. 25,000 persons with disabilities have been involved in sports.
A number of measures are envisaged to expand these opportunities. In particular, it is proposed to organize adaptive sports groups in state sports schools and to adapt playgrounds in neighborhoods for persons with disabilities.
The "ERP-sport" electronic system will automatically identify sports suitable for persons with disabilities by keeping a separate account of them.
The use of modern rehabilitation methods such as physical therapy, mechanotherapy, and physiotherapy will be expanded in rehabilitation centers.
Attention will also be heightened on training specialists in adaptive physical education and sports. A system of material incentives will be introduced for those who win international competitions and their coaches.
The state leader gave instructions on improving the legislation in this area and creating conveniences for people in need of social protection.
