What happened
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals for strengthening social support for vulnerable groups of the population and expanding comprehensive social and rehabilitation services in the regions. New approaches to identifying low-income families, forming targeted assistance, and developing services in healthcare, employment, and social support were considered.
Measures to protect children from all forms of violence were discussed, and a 2026-2030 strategy was presented, which provides for the creation of a safe environment, early detection of risks, and comprehensive assistance to children and their families.
Why is this important
Strengthening the social protection system and implementing unified registries will increase the accuracy of assistance, eliminate duplication, and ensure more stable support for citizens in difficult life situations. The formation of a new social services infrastructure and the launch of a child protection strategy create a long-term basis for improving the quality of life, preventing violence, and strengthening the role of the state in protecting children’s rights.
Numbers and facts
- 1.8 million families were assessed, and 739 thousand families were included in the registry, to which benefits and material assistance were assigned.
- A Social Register is being created based on existing registers, dividing families into categories: state-funded, low-income, and on the verge of poverty.
- For certain categories of families with disabilities, assistance will be provided without employment requirements.
- The “Mahalla Seven” will be granted the right to include families in difficult situations in the registry.
- It is planned to create 20 territorial centers of social services (care, supervision, habilitation, rehabilitation, training) in 2026-2027.
- Electronic directions, digitalization of services, and constant quality monitoring are being introduced.
- The 2026-2030 Children’s Protection Strategy provides for:
— prevention of violence and early work with families;
— “open centers” for working with children;
— individual assistance plans;
— development of alternative forms of accommodation and social adaptation;
— a unified electronic platform and a system for recording cases of violence.
Context
The reform of the social protection system in Uzbekistan is aimed at moving away from universal assistance to targeted assistance based on needs assessment. Strengthening the protection of children from violence aligns with the country’s international commitments and society’s growing attention to children’s safety and well-being. The government plans to implement reforms systematically and keep the implementation of measures under constant control.
