Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament on November 17 toughened punishment for violence against children, endorsing amendments made to the country’s administrative code. The amendments provide for increasing the fine for violence against children from 180-300 somonis to 420 somonis. Lawmakers have voted for the amendments unanimously.
Presenting the draft amendments to lawmakers, Deputy Prosecutor-General, Mirzoamon Rofizoda, said the main reason for making the mentioned amendments to the administrative code was nonfulfillment by parents of obligations on raising and educating minors.
“The draft amendments aim at preventing use or threat of use of violence against children and toughening responsibility for nonfulfillment of obligations on ensuring education and upbringing of children,” Tajik deputy chief prosecutor said.
According to him, about 27,000 people were punished in 2019-2020 for nonfulfillment of obligations on raising and educating children.
In Tajikistan, the scale of violence against children is vastly underestimated, partially because prevalence estimates come from administrative data used by the health or justice systems and partly because of the widespread beliefs that lead people to see violence as a norm rather than a problem demanding attention.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the aftermath of the civil war and social restructuring, vulnerable children have reportedly become more visible, and the numbers of children who are victims of violence and exploitation have grown dramatically. Despite the difficulties of transition, the Government of Tajikistan has attempted to make some progress in ensuring child survival, protection and development, in order to create a better world for today's children, as well as secure their future. Progress in Tajikistan will depend upon the efforts of the national and local governments, international agencies and donors, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), school administrators and educators, religious leaders, and the community working together to advocate and implement child-focused programs, policies and child welfare and protection systems.
