'The state does not fulfill the parental function'

President Ilham Aliyev's recent endorsement of the state program for social services development in Azerbaijan from 2023 to 2026 includes a significant focus on bolstering child welfare initiatives. Although the official numbers provided by the State Committee for Family, Women, and Children Affairs suggest a decline in registered street children, independent experts believe that the actual figures may be higher.

Azerbaijan is home to several children's homes in Baku, Ganja, Sheki, and Lankaran, but the precise number of children residing in these facilities remains undisclosed. The state budget for 2023 allocates 5.1 million Manats to support orphanages.

Some young adults who have aged out of the system report facing challenges. A former orphanage resident, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her experience: "After turning 18, I moved to a rented house with the help of my friends. I started working in a restaurant. Most of my salary goes to rent. I have my meals at work, and sometimes my boss provides food. Having my own home would make my life much easier."

The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection informed Turan that 3,234 children at risk of institutionalization were engaged in daycare services across various cities and regions, with 879 children successfully reunited with their families. Additionally, specialized rehabilitation abroad for children with disabilities was a focal point, as 386 children underwent rehabilitation courses in foreign countries.

Efforts have been dedicated to addressing housing concerns for young adults who have grown out of state care. "Apartment buildings were constructed and made available to 590 individuals in this category," the government noted.

Zumrud Yagmur, founder of the "Initiative Group for Women," in an interview with Radio Azadlig expressed concern about the inadequacy of child protection in Azerbaijan. Yagmur highlighted that the situation of children raised in boarding schools and orphanages remains troubling, indicating a lack of consistent state programs for housing and employment post-18.

According to Yagmur, the state has yet to fully embrace its parental role, which results in distressing outcomes. "We conducted a small investigation and found that many girls living on the streets are compelled into sex work due to limited options. Meanwhile, boys predominantly engage in tasks such as parking lot attendants or informal labor markets."

Yagmur underlined that the manner in which children in orphanages and boarding schools are treated is deeply concerning. "Children are left to the care of teachers and educators without adequate oversight. It is imperative to establish mechanisms that prevent these caregivers from abusing their authority and ensure humane treatment of children."

Azerbaijan's child welfare landscape faces notable challenges, yet there are hopes that ongoing efforts to bolster support structures will pave the way for better outcomes for vulnerable children in the country.