Belarus’ Foster Care System

“Belarus has made much progress in the development of the foster care system, Belarus’ Deputy Education Minister Viktor Yakzhik told reporters answering a question of a BelTA journalist.

There were 68 orphanages in Belarus in 2008, however only 13 of them will remain by 2015. About 25% of orphans returned to their biological families after the reinstatement of their parents’ rights. The other boys and girls were taken by foster families. “Belarus started developing the foster care system virtually from scratch. The experience of the United Nations Children’s Fund was of great help for us. In cooperation with UNICEF, international organizations and NGOs we have greatly advanced in identifying dysfunctional families at an early stage,” Viktor Yakzhik said.

UNICEF Regional Director for Central and Eastern Europe and the CIS Marie-Pierre Poirier noted that Belarus’ practices in placing orphans into foster families and returning them to their biological families are worth studying. “Now this issue is relevant for the entire region. Countries are trying to reduce the number of orphanages and find homes for orphaned children,” she said.

According to Viktor Yakzhik, Belarus has implemented a number of joint projects with UNICEF in recent years. These are the projects to prevent child injuries, teenage crisis, help families who raise children with mental disorders, improve the system of inclusive education and upbringing. UNICEF’s budget for Belarus has been estimated at about $8 million over the past five years.

Belarus has considerably improved its legislation to prevent and combat child abuse. “Protecting children from violence is quite a challenge, as such cases are not easy to identify,” the Deputy Education Minister said. He added that a lot of work is still ahead to discourage teenagers and the youth from taking substances.

Belarus sits 36th out of 173 countries in the children’s well-being index and ranks among the top countries in the index. Viktor Yakzhik noted that a special focus in this ranking is placed on child safety outside home. Belarus has made considerable progress in this regard. Thus, over the past seven years juvenile crimes, offences and violations have dropped. Belarus has safely shielded children from sexual and labor exploitation. There are no homeless children in the country. Pre-school and secondary education is accessible and free of charge. Extended education is broadly available. Belarus has made some appreciable advancement in child healthcare and recuperation. Twenty two Belarusian cities and towns joined the Child-Friendly City initiative of UNICEF.

The UNICEF Regional Conference “Strengthening Child Protection Systems to Protect Children from Neglect, Abuse, Violence and Exploitation” is held in Minsk at Belarus’ initiative on 12-13 November. The conference has brought together over 150 delegates as part of 19 official delegations. They are set to share their views and best practices in creating efficient child protection mechanisms, strengthening the inter-agency cooperation in child protection, and other topical issues.”

Belarus’ progress in promoting foster care system impressive [Belarusian News 11/12/14]

REFORM Puzzle Piece