A delegation of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of Turkmenistan presented the country’s efforts in reforming the social services system and protecting children at an international social work forum held in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan.

The forum highlighted that Turkmenistan’s social support system is increasingly shifting its focus from addressing the consequences of family difficulties toward preventive measures and targeted assistance at the local level. The main objective of these new approaches is the early identification of social risks, as well as the timely provision of support to children and families in need.

During the presentations, it was emphasized that the adoption of the Law of Turkmenistan “On Social Services” created a legal framework for training specialists, improving the professional preparation of social workers, implementing pilot programs at the local level, and strengthening cooperation among relevant institutions.

Special attention during the forum was given to the humanization of the juvenile justice system and the development of psychosocial support services. Using the example of a pilot project implemented in Ashgabat, participants were introduced to practices of social reintegration of adolescents in conflict with the law, rehabilitation measures, and alternative dispute resolution methods. The gradual expansion of these approaches to all regions of the country is planned for 2026–2027.

The international forum was organized with the support of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan and UNICEF. Representatives from Central Asian countries, Austria, Iran and Japan, as well as experts from UN agencies, scientific and educational institutions, and civil society organizations, participated in the event.