Month: July 2024

Summer vacation season is eagerly awaited not only by school-aged children but also by us adults. It is an excellent opportunity to take a break from the fatigue and, to some extent, the stress of the school year. However, with the start of the summer vacation, parents face another important issue: organizing their children’s free time effectively during the three-month vacation.

Consider the numbers. In the summer of 2023, a total of 196 stationary children’s health camps were established in our country to strengthen and restore children’s health and develop their creative potential during the holidays. These camps provided recreation for 158,000 children. In the current season, 157,960 children are planned to rest in 192 camps. In addition, 1,105 day camps aim to attract more than 174,200 children. However, the number of children aged 7-14 in our country is 4,668,779. This is where the problem arises. As we can see, the number of children directed to camps does not even reach ten percent of the total number of students. So what about the children who do not go to camps? What kind of meaning and significance does the summer vacation hold for them?

The truth is that over the years, the number of children’s health camps in our country has not increased proportionally to the population growth. While the number of children has increased by 71% compared to 1991, the number of health camps has halved.

Unlike rural areas, in urban settings, children who do not attend camps often spend the three-month vacation attending sports schools, tutoring, educational courses, or vocational training centers. This has become one of the traditions characteristic of an urbanized environment. To ensure that the child does not remain idle, we direct their physical and mental potential to studying or sports during the vacation, with the good intention of developing them. We spare no expense. But have you ever considered how correct and effective this approach is? Most importantly, does it align with our child’s wishes and interests?

It is clear that the summer vacation should not be detrimental to the child. Psychologists emphasize that, just like adults, children can experience psychological strain if they do not change their routine activities. Taking a proper break during vacations and then resuming studies is beneficial not only for physical health but also for the level of knowledge assimilation. “Moreover, vacation is necessary to strengthen mutual relationships among siblings. Because during regular school time, children have little opportunity to spend time together. Therefore, vacation is the most suitable time for family closeness,” they say.

Typically, the choice of when and which camp to attend during the summer season is considered a personal decision of the parents and the child. According to the established procedure, the child can be sent to a camp through a voucher provided by the trade union section of the organization where the parent works. If the organization where the parent works is not a member of the Trade Union Federation, then a full-priced voucher must be purchased by contacting the initial trade union section of the chosen camp organization. By the way, there are also electronic pages of summer camps available nowadays, and it is possible to purchase vouchers online by visiting these pages on the Internet.

For the summer vacation of 2024, we reviewed the prices of well-known children’s camps in our country on the oromgohlar.uz website, and found that a season’s voucher (10-12 days) ranges from 1,400,000 to 3,200,000 soums. At first glance, this amount does not seem too expensive. However, for an average and large family, it is not cheap either, especially in rural areas.

Farida MAHKAMOVA

The right to a happy childhood includes access to education as well as qualified medical care. It is impossible to briefly discuss the systematic reforms being carried out in this direction in our country. However, it is worth noting another bold step taken in protecting childhood. On February 5 of this year, during a videoconference meeting, the President emphasized that henceforth, every case of maternal and child death will be considered an “extraordinary situation” and inquiries will be conducted accordingly. By 2030, reducing maternal and child mortality, as well as hereditary diseases among children, by at least half, and decreasing mortality from oncology, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory, and infectious diseases by two and a half times, are among the top priorities.

Recently, a decision by the head of state was adopted “On measures to further improve medical care for children with oncological, hematological, and immunological diseases.” According to the decision, important tasks were clearly defined to increase the survival rate of children with oncological diseases to 60% by 2030. This is another major milestone in the field of children’s health.

Article 44 of our new Constitution states that any forms of child labor that endanger a child’s health, safety, morals, mental and physical development, or hinder their education are prohibited. Since 2018, relevant codes and laws have been amended to increase administrative and criminal liability for violations of the prohibition on child labor and forced labor. This strict approach ultimately demonstrates the country’s strong political will and the society’s intolerance, putting an end to child labor, which has long been a sensitive issue in our country.

Similarly, efforts to protect children from all forms of violence and to establish a comfortable and safe environment for them both at home and in society have already gained new momentum. In accordance with the President’s decision on April 22, 2019, the position of Children’s Ombudsman was introduced. On February 29, 2024, the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the Representative of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the Rights of the Child (Children’s Ombudsman)” came into force. In this way, the organizational and institutional foundations for actively involving the entire society and the state in protecting the child’s personality, honor, dignity, rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests have been further strengthened.

These changes in the field of children’s rights are a demand of the times. Because it is no secret that children, who are unable to protect themselves, often face various forms of violence, including being beaten by their parents or guardians. The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) showed that 62% of children aged 1 to 14 in Uzbekistan have experienced violent disciplinary methods (physical punishment and/or psychological pressure), and 33% of girls aged 15-19 believe that a husband is justified in beating his wife, confirming our point. Additionally, neglect and lack of care for a child are also considered forms of violence.

For reference, every year, more than one billion children worldwide are subjected to physical, emotional, or sexual violence.

Farida MAHKAMOVA

Today, our capital city has over 50 neighborhoods and more than 400 streets, with 8 of these being major ones. Naturally, as in large metropolitan areas, the population of the capital is increasing, and so is the number of visitors coming from all corners of the world. Along with modern services, wide and well-maintained streets, job opportunities, and recreational areas, the need for public transportation is also growing.

It is no secret that a large portion of the city’s residents and visitors rely on public transportation. Consequently, efforts are underway to improve the public transport system. For example, above-ground metro lines are being constructed, and the number of buses is increasing. The development of modern transport stations is also progressing steadily.

In November 2023, the construction of “smart” bus stops was announced as a pilot project. This includes the renovation of roads on Bobur and Furqat streets, optimizing traffic flow, and the introduction of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). These bus stops are designed to include not just physical structures, but also ATMs, vending machines, free Wi-Fi, electronic boards showing routes and bus arrival times, surveillance cameras, trash bins, and mobile device chargers. Additionally, the stops must be equipped with ramps for people with disabilities.

Currently, there are over 2,000 bus stops in Tashkent, many of which do not meet the necessary standards. The size, length, and placement of these stops are another significant issue that needs to be addressed.

First Issue: Many bus stops in crowded areas have been converted into various commercial and service outlets.

Second Issue: There is very little space for passengers at the stops. In summer, they have to stand in the heat, and in winter, they have to endure the cold outside.

Third Issue: Although there are standards for equipping bus stops based on the type of roadway, these are not always followed. For example, there should be designated areas for boarding and alighting, waiting areas, crosswalks, widened road sections for buses, demarcation lines, pedestrian pathways, pedestrian crossings, bus shelters, seating, trash bins, and lighting equipment.

Fourth Issue: There are no facilities at many bus stops for people with physical disabilities, making it difficult for them to access public transport. During our visits to various streets in Yunusabad, Mirabad, Yakksaroy, Sergeli, and Shaykhontohur districts, we observed that at many stops, wheelchair users cannot access the shelters, and the gradients do not meet the required standards.

Bus stops are subject to specific requirements when assigned to entrepreneurs. They must be maintained, kept clean, and provide essential services to people.

According to the Cabinet of Ministers’ Resolution No. 482, local authorities and road agencies are required to ensure that bus stops and their surroundings are illuminated during nighttime in cities and populated areas. This rule is implemented in central areas but is often not observed in more remote stops. Proper illumination is crucial for ensuring safety during nighttime. Many bus stops still adhere to outdated standards and are inadequate, especially during rainy weather when people cannot fit under the shelters.

We observed the following issues:

• The bus stop on Bogishamol Street in Yunusabad district is entirely occupied by an entrepreneur.
• The “Shivli Street” stop at the intersection of Chingiz Aytmatov and Shivli Streets has been both occupied by an entrepreneur and demolished without permission.
• Similarly, the second stop at the same location is also under the control of entrepreneurs, despite a presidential decree allowing only advertising tools, ATMs, and vending machines for food products.

We encountered similar issues on streets like Shota Rustaveli, Bobur, Nukus, Amir Temur, Shahrihsabz, Khurshid, and Sharof Rashidov. Bus stops are often converted into commercial outlets and eateries, are poorly maintained, and lack accessibility features for people with disabilities. They also do not offer protection from environmental factors, making them appear neglected.

Drivers mentioned that the small size of the stops often leads to difficulties when two buses arrive simultaneously, as there is not enough space for them to stop. Some bus stops have been converted into parking areas, which affects traffic safety. Modern buses longer than 15 meters face particular challenges, as many stops do not accommodate their length.

Zilola UBAIDULLAEVA