The key facts
- Shahnoza Mirziyoyeva: children are, above all, part of today, not only the future
- Child protection discussions should start with the question: what happens to a child when there is no protective adult nearby
- No country can solve children's problems alone — cooperation among governments, business, and international organizations is needed
Children are part of today
According to Shahnoza Mirziyoyeva, First Deputy Director of the National Agency for Social Protection, when it comes to children's well-being, it is not enough to view them only as the future. For parents, children are, above all, the most important part of today: their health, safety, and sense of self-worth require constant attention.
The conversation should begin with a simple question
Mirziyoyeva emphasized that any conversation about child protection should begin not with laws or statistics, but with a simple yet important question: what happens to a child when there is no adult nearby capable of protecting them? In her view, every child should feel that their country will be a source of support when they need help.
Challenges of the digital world and instability
She noted that the deep penetration of the digital world into everyday life, instability, and growing tension in the world affect the safety and well-being of children and families. In her opinion, no country can solve these problems alone, so it is important that governments, business, civil society, and international organizations cooperate and learn from each other's experience.
A culture of intolerance toward violence
Mirziyoyeva stressed the need to build a culture based on the principles of absolute intolerance toward violence against children and unconditional respect for every child. According to her, if children's happiness, health, and safety today are the responsibility of adults, then tomorrow the future of countries and the whole world will be in the hands of these children, so responsibility toward children must begin today, without delay.
