A seminar titled “Modern Approaches to Protecting Children’s Rights and Safety” was held in Turkistan, bringing together experts to discuss child safety and well-being, as well as modern approaches to protecting children’s rights in judicial practice.
The event was attended by Deputy Akim of Turkistan Region Yertai Altayev, Head of the Turkistan Region Department for the Protection of Children’s Rights Balmarzhan Narbekova, UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan Azamat Zhamanchinov, Judge of the Specialized Interdistrict Court for Juvenile Cases of Turkistan Region Nursultan Omirbay, and around 70 specialists responsible for child protection and safety.
The seminar focused on preventing offenses and other social risks among children and adolescents in the region. Participants discussed factors that may threaten the rights and legitimate interests of minors, mechanisms for preventing such risks, and measures aimed at preventing suicidal behavior among adolescents.
The participants were also introduced to the “Senimdi Dos” (“Trusted Friend”) methodological guide. The role of district and city education departments in protecting children’s rights was discussed, along with procedures for handling reports received by the “111” contact center.
Participants exchanged views and considered possible solutions to pressing issues related to child protection.
Deputy Akim of Turkistan Region Yertai Altayev highlighted the importance of introducing new approaches to protecting children’s rights and instructed heads of relevant sectors to strengthen efforts aimed at ensuring children’s safety.
“Ensuring the life, health, safety and comprehensive development of children is one of the key priorities of our state. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has repeatedly emphasized in his Addresses that protecting children’s rights, ensuring their safety and improving the well-being of the younger generation are among the main priorities of state policy.
The joint efforts of all government bodies, educational institutions, healthcare, law enforcement and social protection services, as well as civil society institutions, play a particularly important role in achieving these objectives. Turkistan Region is also carrying out systematic work to protect children’s rights.
The rapid development of information technologies, the influence of social media, cyberbullying, domestic violence, psychological distress and other risk factors require special attention to children’s safety. Therefore, it is essential to organize work in this area using new methods, strengthen interagency cooperation and introduce modern approaches.
Comprehensive measures must continue to ensure children’s safety and protect their legal rights, as well as to prevent domestic violence, bullying, cyberbullying, offenses and suicidal behavior. We also need to ensure early identification of at-risk groups, provide timely psychological and social support to children, increase parental responsibility, strengthen the effectiveness of psychological services in educational institutions and create a safe environment for every child.
A child’s safety is the safety of the state, while a child’s happiness is a guarantee of the country’s bright future. Therefore, we must continue this work together, systematically and responsibly,” Yertai Altayev said.
It is worth noting that systematic measures to protect children’s rights and provide psychological support are being implemented across Turkistan Region. Educational institutions are also gradually introducing digital solutions aimed at preventing bullying and offenses among children.