Sooronbay Jeenbekov: Our ancestors never allowed child abuse

Bishkek, June 25, 2019. /Kabar/. "Our ancestors never allowed child abuse," Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov said at the National Forum, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and 25th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan’s accession to the Convention.
"We are a society that has treated children with love and tenderness for centuries. We still have good indicators for child protection in Kyrgyzstan today," President Jeenbekov said.
Kyrgyzstan is one of 62 countries that have achieved the Millennium Development Goal of reducing child mortality by more than two thirds.
The early childhood development index has exceeded 72%. Pre-primary education covers 64 %of children under 5 years of age. The participation rate in pre-primary organized education has reached 91 per cent.
"We improve the legal framework for the protection of children's rights. The norms of the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic provide special guarantees for the protection of families and children. No one may be discriminated against on the basis of sex, race, language, disability, ethnicity, religion, age, political convictions, education, property or other status, as well as other circumstances. Every child has the right to a standard of living necessary for his or her physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development," he said.
The Kyrgyz President noted the responsibilities of public authorities and organizations working in the field of children's rights are clearly defined.
"There are shortcomings related to the lack of social services. Elements of corruption in the social protection system, adoption, guardianship and trusteeship have not been eradicated. The number of cases of exposure of vulnerable children to violence and humiliation is growing in society. We must take decisive measures. State bodies, local governments, non-governmental organizations, and local communities must work together to change the situation for the better," Jeenbekov said.