Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – In an urgent bid to align childcare reform in Uzbekistan to international best practice, the first ever International Conference on fast-tracking national deinstitutionalization was held in Tashkent by UNICEF and partners.

Held under the theme “Current challenges in development of a National Deinstitutionalization Strategy to ensure the upbringing of every child in a family environment” the conference sought to map a pathway from institutional to family and community-based care for children in Uzbekistan. It was co-hosted by the Committee on Youth, Culture and Sports of the Senate of Uzbekistan, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Gender Equality.

“Every child has the right to be brought up in a family environment, to feel the love of parents, the attention and care of close ones,” said Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis.

According to the latest official governmental data, the rate of children living in residential care institutions in Uzbekistan is 255 per 100,000 child population, which is more than double the global average of 120 children per 100,000.

Uzbekistan has formulated a deinstitutionalization policy and adopted a related action plan. However, large-scale residential childcare facilities are still a predominant alternative care option and not a measure of last resort. The rate of institutionalization is still high.

“There is a wealth of evidence confirming that children thrive when they are cared for by their families and relations and how institutional care is harmful. As UNICEF, we know that all child-related outcomes are much better when children are served within their communities,” said Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan. “We are committed to supporting the Government in establishing a modern childcare system, which entails a stronger focus on using institutionalization as a last resort option and establishing a wide range of social services targeting most in need, including families with children below three and children with disabilities.”

The event brought together key national stakeholders as well as international experts, to present and discuss the situation of the childcare reform in Uzbekistan. Global and national good practices and lessons learned in designing a modern childcare system were shared.

Internationally, childcare is moving away from a childcare system based on large institutions towards a range of integrated family-based and community-based services. Consequently, participants at the event recommended key interventions to accelerate deinstitutionalization in Uzbekistan, beginning with bold suggestions such as freezing the opening of new institutions. Recommendations also include enhancing the gate-keeping system at local levels; strengthening family support and reintegration services as well as alternative family and community-based care; and transforming existing residential institutions into hubs of social services delivered to children and families in need of support.