In her opinion, there is an acute problem of combating violence in Kyrgyzstan. Although various programs and strategies are being developed at the state level, their implementation faces difficulties, particularly due to the lack of qualified specialists working in crisis centers, children's shelters, and other social institutions.
“Currently, the salaries of psychologists, lawyers, and social workers are around 15,000 soms. This is a low-wage level, while the average salary in the country reaches 45,000 soms. The difference is obvious,” she noted.
Low salaries lead to a shortage of staff and high turnover in the social sector.
Turdubekova emphasized that successful work in the social sphere requires specialists with skills in violence prevention and rehabilitation. This is a complex and emotionally taxing job that demands high qualifications, but the low wage level does not allow for retaining experienced workers or attracting new staff.
“The situation is already concerning: one caregiver is forced to manage dozens of children. The overload of staff affects the quality of services provided. The unusual case of a group of children escaping from a shelter is a troubling signal. This is directly related to the lack of personnel and the inability to provide adequate attention to the children. How can we effectively combat violence and protect vulnerable groups under such conditions?” she stated.
According to her, increasing the wages of social institution workers is not only a matter of social justice but also an important step towards ensuring the safety of children and the sustainable development of society.
It was previously reported that eight missing teenagers, residents of the rehabilitation center "Akniet," are being sought in Bishkek.
