UNICEF’s recent report on Violence Against Children (VAC) in Europe and Central Asia reveals that Turkmenistan has the highest proportion of violent physical discipline of children by caregivers. Caregivers are parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child. While the proportion of psychological aggression against children is relatively low, it also continues to be a common disciplinary act used by caregivers across the country.
Physical violence against a child is defined in the report as “any deliberate, unwanted and non-essential act that uses physical force against the body of a child and that results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, pain or psychological suffering”. In contrast, psychological violence is referred to “any deliberate, unwanted and non-essential act, verbal and non-verbal that harms or has a high likelihood of harming the development of a child, including long-term physiological harm and mental health consequences”.
Despite Turkmenistan’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), violence and aggression against children in the form of violent discipline remain widespread. The UN Child Rights Committee urged Turkmenistan in 2024 to address gaps in children’s rights and implement reforms. The recent UNICEF report notes that “No single state agency holds responsibility for child protection”. The child protection system lacks a central body to ensure unified functioning and mandatory coordination across national, regional, and local levels.
Findings also highlight that even though only nice percent of adults in Turkmenistan believe that physical punishment is necessary to raise or educate a child, violent practices persist as a socially acceptable form of discipline.
Source: UNICEF (2025) Where we live and learn:
Violence against children in Europe and Central Asia
Psychological aggression
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SUPPORT OUR WORKThe prevalence of psychological aggression against children aged 1 to 14 by caregivers in Turkmenistan stands at a total of 58 percent of children. A slightly higher proportion of boys experienced psychological aggression, with an average of 59 percent of boys and 57 percent of girls.
The data reveal that 66 percent of those children who were subjected to psychological aggression are between the ages of 5 and 9, while 62 percent are between the ages of 10 and 14. As children grow older, verbal discipline or emotional aggression often becomes more normalized.
Source: UNICEF (2025) Where we live and learn:
Violence against children in Europe and Central Asia
What should governments and other stakeholders do?
- Ensure a protective environment for all children;
- Invest in parenting and family support services, and anti-bullying programs;
- Train the social service workforce to prevent recurrence;
- Prioritize child protection reforms to avoid family separation;
- Provide specialized support for children and invest in early intervention;
- Improve data collection, monitoring, and support regional/subregional initiatives to strengthen data.
