This dissertation undertakes a critical examination of the social protection gaps affecting children with disabilities in formal care settings in Turkmenistan, with particular emphasis on the structural, cultural, and social determinants that contribute to their institutionalisation. In spite of ongoing reforms, Turkmenistan continues to encounter significant obstacles in delivering inclusive, community-based social services and implementing effective poverty alleviation measures. Consequently, there remains a persistent reliance on residential care for vulnerable children. Utilizing national data, policy analysis, and comparative case studies, this research analyses the multifaceted barriers—structural, cultural, and institutional—that impede the development and realisation of comprehensive social protection frameworks. The study interrogates the impact of stigma, the adequacy of support services, and the limitations inherent in current disability benefits on the well-being and social integration of children with disabilities. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the research seeks to illuminate the principal social protection deficits from the perspectives of children with disabilities and their caregivers. Ultimately, it aims to formulate evidence-based strategies and policy recommendations to advance deinstitutionalisation, reinforce family-based care alternatives, and address the underlying economic and social factors perpetuating the rising rates of institutionalisation of children with disabilities in Turkmenistan.

Authors:
Maya Islamova, Global Center for Advanced Studies, Woolf University, Ireland

About the Presenter(s)
A PhD researcher with over a decade of experience, Dr. Maya Islamova has delivered innovative business solutions and successfully engaged stakeholders across Asia, Europe, and the UK.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-i

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

Bookmark