Shielding the future: Enhancing legal protections for children in Kazakhstan

Abstract

Despite recent progress, children in Kazakhstan still face harm, including abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This article aims to strengthen institutions protecting children’s rights, a pressing concern in both social science and practice. It analyzes existing statutes and policies, assessing their alignment with international standards. The study’s methodology includes a review of legal documents and case studies showing how these laws operate in practice. The findings reveal critical gaps in enforcement, interagency coordination, and support services for vulnerable children. Socio-cultural and economic factors exacerbate risks, suggesting that legal reforms must be combined with broader social changes. The article accordingly proposes legal amendments, capacity building for child welfare professionals, and increased public awareness. By integrating international examples and local expert perspectives, it offers a roadmap for enhancing child protection in Kazakhstan. Emphasizing a child-centered approach that prioritizes children’s best interests in all decisions, this research envisions a stronger, more effective, and more responsive system to safeguard the well-being and rights of all children in Kazakhstan.