Uzbekistan Launches Major Social Protection Reform for Vulnerable Groups

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has approved a comprehensive package of measures to reform the country's social protection system. The initiative focuses on expanding access to social services, strengthening the legal framework, and transitioning to targeted, transparent assistance.

The ongoing large-scale transformation prioritizes digitalization and proactive support mechanisms. Special attention is given to people with disabilities, citizens requiring constant care, families raising children with disabilities, women affected by violence, and the development of a social services sector involving entrepreneurs.

A key goal is ensuring the full integration into society of individuals with mental disorders by creating care conditions as close as possible to a family environment and supporting their families. Proposals for reforming social services for this group were reviewed.

By June 1, 2026, Uzbekistan plans to phase in an "Early Intervention" service for children aged 0-3 with developmental disorders. This service will include correctional-pedagogical assistance, speech development sessions, and physical development activities provided by specialized professionals through non-governmental organizations via a special electronic registry.

Costs for additional medical examinations and surgical operations for children with congenital anatomical defects will be covered by the State Medical Insurance Fund.

Furthermore, new social services for persons with disabilities of groups I and II with mental disorders are slated for introduction during 2026. These include the "Yangi kun" (New Day) daytime care service, home care services, small support homes called "Madad," and short-term placement under a "Social Respite" service. These measures aim to develop independent living skills and provide household adaptation support.

Social services will be implemented through public-private partnerships involving non-governmental organizations. It is expected that coverage will reach up to 8.3 thousand people in 2026, with up to 600 organizations and entrepreneurs involved. Financing will be provided through subsidies from the State Social Protection Fund.

Starting September 1, 2026, a monthly care allowance is planned for legal representatives of persons over 18 years old with profound intellectual disabilities.

The authority of "Inson" (Human) social service centers will be expanded. Their representatives will participate in guardianship commissions and conduct constant monitoring of wards' rights protection and property preservation.

A separate reform direction involves transforming "Murovvat" (Virtue) residential institutions into "Gamkhurlik" (Care) centers focused on social adaptation, developing independent living skills, occupational therapy, creative therapy, and creating family-like environments.

The proposed legislative improvements include strengthening liability for disability-based discrimination

The proposed legislative improvements include strengthening liability for disability-based discrimination, making court decisions more accessible to persons with disabilities, and developing a targeted social service provision system based on the Unified Social Registry.

Additional measures under consideration involve supporting parents of children with disabilities through tax benefits for daycare centers and expanding such service coverage by 2030. The list of citizens entitled to free public transport is also proposed to be expanded to include persons with group I disabilities and their accompanying persons.

In protecting women's and children's rights, plans include strengthening measures against violence introducing new types of liability for crimes related to child pornography improving procedures for interviewing minors protecting their rights within the judicial system