Systemic Violence Against Children in Turkmenistan: The Hidden Reality of the 21st Century

Violence Against Children in the 21st Century: A Systemic Problem in Turkmenistan A video has gone viral on the social media platform TikTok showing a caregiver and a nanny verbally abusing and physically assaulting a small girl approximately 2.5 years old. These scenes are not an exception and not an “isolated incident.” This is happening in the 21st century and reflects a deep, systemic problem. Why does this become possible? First, childcare institutions in Turkmenistan lack video surveillance systems that could help prevent and document cases of abuse. Second, there are no independent psychologists within the preschool education system who could identify cases of child abuse and work with the consequences of trauma. Third, employees of childcare institutions receive extremely low wages that are completely disproportionate to the cost of food and basic necessities. This leads to constant stress and a daily struggle for survival. We emphasize: this in no way justifies violence, but it is an important factor that the authorities deliberately ignore. At international forums, the authorities of Turkmenistan continue to claim that violence against children does not exist in the country. This is an absolute lie. Violence against children in Turkmenistan is systemic. Children grow up in an environment of fear, psychological pressure, and humiliation rather than in an atmosphere of care and safety. Mass labor migration of parents only worsens the situation: thousands of children are left without parental care, living in severe emotional distress, which later affects their mental health, education, and social integration. We can speak about the systematic nature of this violence with full confidence, because we ourselves and our children have repeatedly faced it. Inside the country, it is almost impossible to fight such abuses — this is a system built and maintained for years, where independent child protection mechanisms are absent. We urgently call on the international community to approach this issue with the highest level of responsibility and to give a principled assessment of the facts of violence against children in Turkmenistan. Children are the future of the state. We want this future to be free from violence, based on democratic values, and built on love for life, for people, and for the homeland — not on fear. Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANÇ” / Turkmenistan 🔗 Video link: https://youtu.be/Wdcuo6HAo6Y?si=DnE3WH1yxDVj_f5r