In Tajikistan, at least 16 per cent of children live in extreme poverty, UNICEF Tajikistan said in its message issued on 1 June on the occasion of the International Children’s Day.
“Compared to their wealthiest peers, children from the poorest households run twice the risk of dying before age five, or suffering the irreversible stunting that results from chronic undernutrition,” the message says.
Additionally, a huge number – 90 per cent – have little or no access to pre-school education: a chance to learn and play with other children.
“A lack of early learning facilities, knowledge, skills and the means among families to support early learning at home leads to thousands of children starting grade 1 without the cognitive and social skills that are critical for academic success,” UNICEF Tajikistan says. “Your daughter or sister may be among the one in five children who drop out without completing basic
education. This could be because there are hardly any child-friendly learning environments, interactive teaching, trained teachers and school materials. No less important is the lack of safe sanitation (with separate toilets for girls) and washing facilities at school.”
According to UNICEF Tajikistan, in general, schools are not adjusted and equipped to educate children with disabilities. “Out of 30,133 children registered with disabilities, only a few of them receives some form of education. This actual number of children with disabilities may be higher as many parents still feel the need “hide” their children with disabilities, because of stigma in the community, especially in rural areas. Many children with disabilities, especially with severe disabilities, are placed in institutions away from their families. Children fare much better if they grow up with their families with proper family support and social assistance provided to them. By this they can reach their full potential, a fundamental right of all children,” the message says.
“To do full justice to this year’s commemoration, we should also reflect and debate what we as parents, teachers, officials, religious leaders, media professionals or community workers, can do to help children. We make sure that all children, regardless of their background or conditions, have equal opportunities to claim their rights, so they can live a life of prosperity and dignity,” UNICEF Tajikistan said in the message.
