Our People > Tamila Olzhbaekova

Tamila Olzhbaekova

Journalist

Tamila Olzhabekova is a journalist, award-winning illustrator, and a volunteer, curator and event organizer in the DOSTAR diaspora of Kazakhstan organization.
Prior to working for The Times of Central Asia, she has written for Peter Tv, First Line, Five Corners, Sport.Kz, and numerous other publications. A campaigner for interethnic harmony and the protection of stray animals, she studied at St. Petersburg State University.

Articles

Cancer Treatment

Diagnosis and a Suitcase: Why Kazakhstanis with Cancer Still Seek Treatment Abroad

Fundraising appeals for cancer treatment abroad have become a familiar feature of Kazakhstan’s social media landscape. A photograph, a medical report, a bank account number and a plea for help often signal a family’s decision that treatment outside the country offers the best chance of survival. Whether that perception is justified remains one of the most sensitive questions facing Kazakhstan’s healthcare system. According to the Ministry of Health, the incidence of malignant neoplasms in urban areas reached approximately 239 cases per 100,000 people in 2024, up from 230 a year earlier. Kazakhstan records one of the highest cancer incidence rates in Central Asia, ahead of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, according to recent regional comparisons. More than 30,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed in Kazakhstan each year, while thousands of people die annually from malignant tumors. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of the disease, followed by colorectal and lung cancers. Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. The burden of disease is not evenly distributed. The highest incidence rates are recorded in industrial regions such as Pavlodar, Karaganda, Kostanay, North Kazakhstan and East Kazakhstan. Specialists attribute the trend to a combination of environmental pollution, unhealthy lifestyles, population aging and, according to some experts, the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kazakhstan’s leading oncologists generally reject the notion that treatment abroad is automatically better. The country’s major oncology centers offer surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy using treatment protocols that largely correspond to international standards. Physicians at the National Research Oncology Center in Astana note that many patients who travel to Turkey or South Korea eventually receive treatment recommendations similar to those available in Kazakhstan, often at a much higher personal cost. The difference, doctors and patients say, often lies in speed and service. Private clinics abroad can offer faster access to consultations, diagnostics and treatment, while patients frequently cite more personalized care and greater attention from medical staff. For families confronting a life-threatening diagnosis, such factors can become decisive. At the same time, some limitations within Kazakhstan’s healthcare system are difficult to ignore. The country’s bone marrow donor registry remains relatively small. In leukemia cases where no compatible donor can be found among relatives, patients often depend on international registries and may require treatment abroad. Organ transplantation from deceased donors also remains underdeveloped. In some cases of liver cancer, patients must travel to countries such as Belarus when no living donor is available. Some of the latest targeted therapies and immunotherapy drugs are also not yet registered in Kazakhstan, although oncologists say new treatments are gradually being incorporated into clinical practice. One of the most common complaints among patients with cancer in Kazakhstan concerns delays in diagnostics and treatment. Kazakhstan’s healthcare system formally guarantees a so-called “green corridor” for oncology patients, under which no more than 30 days should pass between the initial suspicion of cancer and the start of treatment. In practice, however, access to high-tech diagnostic equipment remains uneven. PET/CT scanners, a...

4 weeks ago

Health

Alcohol and Male Mortality in Kazakhstan: A Problem People Do Not Usually Talk About

The figures are alarming when examined closely, although Kazakhstan seems to have grown used to them. Women in the country still live noticeably longer than men. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, women’s life expectancy has reached 79.8 years, while men’s is 72.19 years. A gap of almost eight years has persisted for several years. In 2024, women lived on average to 79.42 years, while men lived to 71.33 years. In 2023, the figures were 79.06 and 70.99 years, respectively. The statistics are changing gradually, but the main conclusion remains the same: male mortality in Kazakhstan remains one of the country’s most visible demographic problems. A gender gap in life expectancy is not unique to Kazakhstan – according to estimates by Our World in Data, men live shorter lives than women in every country in the world. The problem in Kazakhstan is the size of the gap. In prosperous countries, it is often three to four years. In Kazakhstan, it is about eight. Biology explains only part of this difference. The rest comes down to behavior, environment, and habits. What the Statistics Show At first glance, the level of alcohol consumption in Kazakhstan does not look extreme. According to WHO data, in 2022, alcohol consumption in Kazakhstan stood at 5.4 liters of pure ethanol per person over the age of 15. For comparison, the figure in Germany is about 13 liters, while in Russia it is more than 11 liters. However, the average figure is not the only thing that matters. The statistics do not show exactly who drinks, how often, or in what circumstances. That is why alcohol rarely appears in official statistics as a direct cause of death, but it often remains an invisible background to tragedy. Documents may list a heart attack, an injury, liver disease, or complications after poisoning, yet alcohol abuse may be a contributing factor behind many of these diagnoses. According to the WHO, more than 3 million people worldwide die every year from diseases and consequences related to alcohol, and a significant share of these deaths are among men. Kazakhstan has also appeared in international rankings of countries with high alcohol-related mortality. The example of Almaty is also revealing: over the course of a year, more than 6,000 cases of poisoning from alcoholic products were recorded there, around 2,000 people were hospitalized, and 23 cases ended in death. But even these data reflect only part of the problem. Alcohol may not be named as the main culprit, although it can trigger or intensify a chain of consequences, including heart disease, injuries, gastrointestinal diseases, infections, cancer, and mental disorders. Why Men in Particular According to the Bureau of National Statistics collection Men and Women of Kazakhstan, in 2023 there were 95 cases of alcohol-related disorders per 100,000 men, compared with 18 among women. Men suffer from these problems 5.3 times more often. The portrait of the typical consumer is also recognizable. Most often, this is a man aged 30 to 44, with secondary...

1 month ago

TCA Interviews

Uzbekistan’s New Visual Language: How OZBE Reimagines Culture Through Streetwear

Uzbekistani fashion is increasingly moving beyond traditional interpretations of national motifs. A new generation of local brands is engaging with cultural heritage through streetwear, using the visual language of youth culture and contemporary identity to resonate in Uzbekistan and internationally. The Times of Central Asia spoke with Raupjon Eshtemirov, a representative of the Uzbekistani streetwear brand OZBE, about how Uzbek ornaments, symbols, and cultural references are being transformed into modern fashion, why young people are rediscovering their cultural roots, and whether Uzbekistan’s fashion scene can gain greater international visibility. TCA: Please tell us a little about the OZBE brand. How did it begin, and what idea did it grow from? Raupjon: OZBE emerged as a local streetwear brand based on the idea of expressing the modern perspective of a new generation through clothing. We started with small drops, and gradually a community formed around the brand. TCA: How would you describe the philosophy of OZBE? Is it more about fashion, culture, self-expression, or a new interpretation of Uzbek identity? Raupjon: For us, OZBE is a combination of all these things. We use fashion as a tool for self-expression and for a contemporary reinterpretation of local culture and identity. TCA: OZBE is often seen as a brand that speaks to young people in a modern visual language. How do you see your audience? Raupjon: Our audience consists mainly of teenagers and young people for whom self-expression through style, visual culture, and clothing is important. At the same time, our audience also includes tourists and people who want to represent modern Uzbekistan through a local brand and its aesthetic. [caption id="attachment_49659" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] @OZBE[/caption] TCA: Why did you choose streetwear as the main form for working with culture and local identity? Raupjon: Streetwear is a modern form of fashion that remains timeless and extremely popular among young people and tourists. It is one of the easiest ways to combine style, culture, and a contemporary view of Uzbekistan. TCA: Uzbekistan has a strong visual tradition, including ornaments, architecture, crafts, and patterns. How do you work with this heritage in your collections? Raupjon: We draw inspiration from local aesthetics, but we try to adapt them to a modern visual context through forms, graphics, details, and presentation. TCA: For you, it is important not simply to use national motifs, but to reinterpret them. What does that process involve? Raupjon: Traditional patterns, ornaments, and cultural elements always remain recognizable and popular. For us, it is important not just to copy them, but to adapt them to modern styles and make them relevant for a new generation and for global streetwear culture. TCA: How can Uzbek patterns, symbols, and cultural references be made to look modern and organic for younger audiences? Raupjon: Through reworked design, modern presentation, and the use of bright, memorable phrases that attract the attention of young people and bring cultural elements closer to contemporary streetwear aesthetics. TCA: Which aspects of Uzbek culture inspire you most: ornaments, language, urban life, music, history, or everyday...

1 month ago

Kazakh Language

How Social Media Is Turning Kazakh Language Into A Form Of Self-Expression for Gen Z

Not long ago, for many of Kazakhstan's urban teenagers, the Kazakh language sounded like something between a school subject, a family obligation, and an official norm. They studied it, took tests in it, heard it in classrooms, in the news, and in the speech of older generations. But on TikTok, Instagram, and Threads, Kazakh is increasingly living a different life: as the language of memes, stories, self-irony, flirting, debates, local humor, and personal expression. It is no longer only a question of: “Do you know Kazakh?” For Generation Z, another question is becoming more important: “Can you be yourself in Kazakh?” Social media, fast, visual, and sometimes chaotic, has become the space where the Kazakh language stops being merely a symbol of “correctness” and turns into a tool for self-expression. According to DataReportal’s Digital 2026: Kazakhstan report, Instagram in Kazakhstan had an advertising reach of 13.1 million users in late 2025, while TikTok reached 16.9 million users aged 18 and older. TikTok’s ad reach was equivalent to 86.5% of the local internet audience. These figures do not equal the exact number of active users, but they show the scale of the platforms where young people today see, hear, and produce language. From “I have to know it” to “I want to speak it” The Kazakh language in Kazakhstan has long been growing both demographically and symbolically. According to the 2021 census, more than 13 million people, or around 80% of the population over the age of five, know the state language, while almost half of the population uses it daily. But there is a large gap between “knowing a language” and using it in one’s personal digital life. Social media is helping to close that gap. On Instagram, a teenager can follow a page with memes about grammar. On Threads, they can write a post about feeling shy speaking Kazakh in Almaty, and suddenly see hundreds of similar stories. This is where the shift lies. In the digital environment, Kazakh is no longer only a language of assessment. It is becoming a language of process: living, not always perfect, but personal. Instagram: grammar as visual style One of the most visible examples is Qazaq Grammar. The project grew around Instagram and has done something that once seemed almost impossible: turning linguistic rules and nuances into visual, meme-like content. Its Instagram page has quickly amassed more than 89,900 followers. Qazaq Grammar matters precisely because of its digital format. It does not try to replace a textbook, but it makes the language part of the everyday feed. A user may not sit down specifically to “study Kazakh,” but they may come across a post about a common mistake, send it to a friend, or remember the rule while texting. In this way, grammar stops feeling like a chore and becomes a small fragment of daily content. The project’s feed includes explanations of common mistakes, word usage, Kazakh orthography, humorous observations about mixed speech, and posts about how the language is changing in...

1 month ago

TCA Interviews

From a Student Initiative to a Youth Movement: How Volunteering Is Developing in Kyrgyzstan

In 2023, Kyrgyzstan adopted a law establishing the legal basis for volunteer activity, while the Ministry of Culture, Information and Youth Policy has been named Kyrgyzstan’s focal point for the International Year of Volunteers 2026. UN Volunteers has also reported that nearly 100 youth and volunteer organizations are active across the country, with major public events expected to rely heavily on trained volunteers. The Times of Central Asia spoke with Aruuke Karmyshakova, executive director of Active Volunteers, about why more young people in Kyrgyzstan are entering volunteer work, how the organization cooperates with state bodies, international partners, and educational institutions, and why sustainable funding remains a central challenge for the sector. TCA: What gap did Active Volunteers set out to fill when it was founded, and how did the organization develop from there? Aruuke: Active Volunteers was founded in 2017 through the initiative of Bekbolot Stalbekov. Bekbolot wanted to create a platform where students could develop not only academically, but also beyond the classroom, to try themselves in real projects, gain practical experience, and show initiative. At first, it was a small student group of like-minded people. But it very quickly became clear that there were many active and versatile young people like this. With each new project, the number of participants grew, the team expanded, and the initiatives became increasingly large-scale. That is how, from a small student idea, we gradually grew into a full-fledged youth foundation with many different areas of work. TCA: How has the organization’s mission evolved as its work has expanded into different areas? Aruuke: Today, we define our mission as the comprehensive, multi-sphere development of young people and society as a whole. It is not one single direction, but a complex approach: we are involved in charitable assistance, educational projects, cultural initiatives, and support for civic activity. We help young people develop in science, art, media, leadership, ecology, and many other fields. The main idea is that every participant should be able to unlock their potential while also bringing real benefit to the country. Members of our team, Malika Baibolotova, Nurzhigit Kazygulov, Sofya Khurshudova, and Elaman Zhusupov, are already participating in international projects such as the “Strong Youth - Strong Country” program from the Civic Participation Foundation, funded by the European Union and UNICEF. They are undergoing regular training, which will continue until 2027-2028, and they will then be ready to establish and implement their own initiatives and projects. TCA: Has the profile of volunteers in Kyrgyzstan changed in recent years? Aruuke: Previously, most volunteers were university and college students, but since 2023 the picture has changed noticeably. Today, the age range has become much wider: school students starting from the age of 13-14, university students, young specialists, and also middle-aged people come to us. Everyone finds their own niche, some help in education, some in cultural events, and others in social projects. But what unites everyone is one thing: a sincere desire to contribute to the development of Kyrgyzstan. [caption id="attachment_49262" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] @Active...

2 months ago

Animal Rights

Kazakhstan Renews Debate Over Stray Animals After Parliament Approves Euthanasia Amendments

Kazakhstan has once again found itself at the center of a heated public debate over how the state should address the country’s growing stray animal problem. Recently approved parliamentary amendments allowing the euthanasia of dogs after a short holding period have triggered strong criticism from animal rights activists, volunteers, and private shelter owners, who argue that the new measures fail to address the root causes of the crisis and instead merely conceal its consequences temporarily. For many involved in the debate, the issue goes beyond animal welfare and points to deeper problems in state governance. For years, responsibility for stray animals in Kazakhstan has effectively been left to private initiatives, including small shelters and volunteer networks that operate largely on personal funds and donations. One such initiative is the Amigo shelter near Almaty, which currently houses around 200 dogs and 80 cats. The shelter did not begin as a business or long-term charitable project, but rather as a spontaneous effort to rescue several animals from capture facilities and the streets. Over time, the number of animals grew, and temporary assistance evolved into a permanent struggle for survival. [caption id="attachment_48766" align="aligncenter" width="1774"] Image: TCA[/caption] “We never planned to create a shelter. It all started with a few rescued animals, and then it became impossible to stop because they were completely dependent on us,” Amigo representatives told The Times of Central Asia. That dependency has become one of the defining features of Kazakhstan’s private shelter system. Unlike many Western countries, where large numbers of animals are adopted through well-developed adoption programs, animals in Kazakhstan often remain in shelters for years; sometimes for the rest of their lives. According to Amigo’s owners, society still approaches shelter animals with caution, while a culture of responsible adoption is only beginning to emerge. The financial burden on such organizations is enormous. In addition to food and veterinary care, shelter owners must independently pay for land, kennel construction, transport, fuel, generators, heating, water supply, sterilization, vaccination, and staff salaries. In many cases, infrastructure must be built entirely from scratch. Amigo’s own history reflects this instability. The shelter was initially located on a small property in Baiserke, but the growing number of animals and expanding residential development made continued operations impossible. The owners took out loans to purchase land near the village of Zhetygen, where they personally built enclosures and installed utilities. Later, after Zhetygen was incorporated into the new city of Alatau, they faced the threat of land seizure for state needs and were once again forced to search for a new location and finance another relocation through debt. [caption id="attachment_48767" align="aligncenter" width="1774"] Image: TCA[/caption] According to shelter representatives, Kazakhstan still lacks a clear legal status for such facilities. Agricultural land is formally designated for livestock rather than cats and dogs, meaning that even privately purchased plots do not guarantee long-term security. For shelters, relocation means far more than changing addresses, it requires transporting hundreds of animals, rebuilding infrastructure, and effectively starting over. Against this backdrop, discussions...

2 months ago

TCA Interviews

Identity and a New National Canon: Interview with Kazakhstan Historian Zhaxylyk Sabitov

Interest in Kazakhstan’s history is increasingly moving beyond academic circles. For many people, it has become a way to understand the country’s modern identity as well as its past. The Times of Central Asia spoke with historian Zhaxylyk Sabitov, director of the Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi, about why many chapters of Kazakhstan’s history remain insufficiently studied. The Ulus of Jochi, also known as the Golden Horde, was one of the largest medieval states in Eurasia and is closely tied to debates over Kazakhstan’s statehood and historical memory. The interview also explored which topics resonate most strongly with society today and how a new understanding of national memory is taking shape. TCA: To begin, please tell us a little about yourself. How did you become interested in history, and why did you decide to work in this field? Zhaxylyk: I am the director of the Research Institute for the Study of the Jochi Ulus. My interest in history began in childhood. The problem was that in the 1980s and 1990s, history in Kazakhstan was taught rather poorly. There were few textbooks and teaching materials, and schoolchildren generally knew little about the subject. That is why I was always interested in trying to understand the past for myself. In addition, I inherited a library of history books from my grandfather. I read those books, and in the 1990s my mother helped me buy new publications. All of this gradually shaped my interest in the history of Kazakhstan. You could say I became interested in history while still at school and later continued to study it professionally. TCA: For readers who may not know much about you, how would you describe your research work and the main topics you focus on? Zhaxylyk: I have several main areas of work. The first is the history of the Golden Horde. This was the state that preceded the Kazakh Khanate and occupied a vast territory stretching from the Altai to the Danube. The second area is the history of the Kazakh Khanate. This also remains insufficiently studied. In the history of both the Golden Horde and the Kazakh Khanate, there were more than 100 khans. It is interesting to study how they interacted, where and how they ruled, and under what circumstances their rule took place. The third area is genetics, or the genetic history of Kazakh tribes and clans, as well as those of other Turkic peoples, including Kyrgyz, Karakalpaks, Nogais, and Bashkirs. This topic allows us to address questions that have been debated for two centuries. For example, there are many theories regarding the origins of certain Kazakh tribes. With the help of genetics, we are trying to understand which of these theories is closer to the truth and, more broadly, to better understand the ethnogenesis of the Kazakhs and other Turkic peoples. The fourth topic is nation-building policy and historical memory. I am interested in how the state constructs the canon of national history and how this influences...

2 months ago

TCA Interviews

Kazakh Writer Aigul Klinovskaya on Memory, Identity, and the Rise of Contemporary Literature

In recent years, interest in contemporary literature has grown noticeably in Kazakhstan. Authors are increasingly reaching readers directly, taking part in public events, promoting their books through social media, and speaking about local experiences as part of a broader cultural landscape. The Times of Central Asia spoke with Kazakhstani writer Aigul Klinovskaya about her path into literature, the role of memory and place in her prose, and what contemporary authors need today to gain greater visibility both within the country and abroad. TCA: To begin with, please tell us a little about yourself. How did you become a writer? Aigul: I came to literature from IT, that is a well-known fact, and something I often mention in interviews. I worked at a large telecommunications company and headed a department, but at a certain point, I completely changed my field of activity. Now I write my own books and also help other authors shape their manuscripts as a literary editor and mentor. People work with me to finish and refine their manuscripts, increasing their chances of publication or success in literary competitions. TCA: When did you first feel that writing was not just an interest for you, but an important part of your life? Aigul: I tried writing as a child. I had a science fiction novella with an interesting story behind it: I sent it to a children’s magazine, and they replied that the work was good but still needed improvement. I was offended and, in the heat of the moment, destroyed the manuscript. I regret that now because it would have been interesting to reread it. As a child, I wrote poems and short stories; many people go through that stage. But I began writing prose seriously about five years ago. At that time, I took part in a writing marathon, wrote a short story, and it was immediately included in an anthology. That inspired me: I realized that I could and wanted to write fiction. The transition from short stories to longer forms was not easy. I wondered whether I could do it and whether I would manage. But now two of my books have already been published, and a third is coming out in June, so something must be working. Many people are surprised to learn that, for most of my life, I was not involved in literature professionally but worked in a completely different field. Now, however, I feel that I am in the right place. TCA: Your texts often pay close attention to a person’s inner life, to memory, and to the warmth of everyday relationships. Why are these themes close to you? Aigul: I am interested in people in general, their relationships and emotions. As an author, I want readers, when they immerse themselves in my books, to feel something: to cry at some moments, laugh at others, smile, and reflect. I believe that every person’s fate is worthy of a book because many remarkable things happen in life. If they are described well,...

2 months ago

TCA Interviews

Singer MEREY on Kazakh-Language Music, Tradition, and a New Sound

Singer, poet, and lyricist MEREY is among a younger group of artists bringing a different sensibility to music in Kazakhstan. Her work is rooted in Kazakh-language expression, but it also pushes beyond familiar expectations of how a female singer should sound and present herself. In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, MEREY discusses the influence of poetry on her lyrics, the reaction to experimentation, and what she believes is missing from Kazakhstan’s contemporary music scene. TCA: Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get into music? MEREY: I came to music at 17, that’s when I wrote my first song in English. Before that, for as long as I can remember, I had been writing poetry; it was my first form of self-expression. During my school years, I also studied music more formally. I played in a national orchestra, where I both sang and performed dombra parts. That experience strongly shaped my sense of stage presence and musical language. Today, I position myself as a poet, singer, and lyricist. For me, text and music are inseparable. TCA: Who or what influenced your artistic development the most? MEREY: Since school, I have read the works of Mukaghali Makatayev, a classic of Kazakh poetry known for lyrical verses about love, homeland, and the human experience, and Fariza Ongarsynova, a prominent poet who wrote about emotions, time, and women’s lives. They left a deep mark on me as a poet, and echoes of their style can be found in my lyrics. As a teenager, I listened to Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, and The Neighbourhood. Later, Mitski, Zemfira, Valentin Strykalo, and Børns. Now I feel close to what Chappell Roan and Meg Myers are doing. My taste leans toward alternative music with an emphasis on vocals, lyrics, and guitar riffs, with a slightly detached aesthetic. This directly informs my own music. TCA: Your music is often described as a blend of traditional elements and modern electronics. How did this sound take shape? MEREY: I wouldn’t fully agree with the phrasing about electronics, but my sound is in many ways inspired by Darkhan Juzz. He was the first artist from Kazakhstan who truly impressed me with his sound. I come from a Kazakh-speaking background, so my lyrics tend to be more literary rather than conversational, unlike many artists of the new school. That’s thanks to my parents and my education in a Kazakh-language school. The modern side comes from my musical tastes, especially the Western scene. My sound combines a Western sensibility with precise, expressive Kazakh language. It’s a mix of Western thinking and Kazakh tradition and that is exactly what resonates with listeners. TCA: How important is it for you to preserve cultural roots in contemporary music? MEREY: It is fundamentally important. As I grow older, I become more conscious, and even stricter, about the Kazakh language and tradition. I’m glad that today national elements, ornaments, traditional clothing, interest in Tengriism, and the language itself, are once again becoming part of the cultural...

2 months ago

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying in Central Asia: What Legal Protections Are There?

Cyberbullying has long ceased to be merely an argument on the internet. Insults, harassment in chats, the publication of humiliating photos and videos, coordinated mockery, threats, and the spread of false information can cause harm comparable to offline violence. In Central Asia, the problem is becoming increasingly visible, but legal responses still vary significantly. As of 2026, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have incorporated bullying and cyberbullying into legislation more directly, while Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan continue to address such cases mainly through general provisions on insult, defamation, threats, child protection, and internet regulation. Kazakhstan has taken the most explicit legislative approach to cyberbullying. The law introduced an official definition: cyberbullying is understood as systematic actions, that is, actions committed two or more times of a humiliating nature against a child, including persecution and intimidation using internet resources. The law also grants a citizen or the legal representative of a child the right to submit a complaint to the authorized body regarding instances of cyberbullying against a child, specifying the relevant internet resource. At the same time, laws on children’s rights and education have formally incorporated the concept of child bullying, including acts committed through media and telecommunications networks. A further step was taken in 2024, when Article 127-2 (“Bullying of a Minor”) was added to Kazakhstan’s Code of Administrative Offenses. It provides for a warning or a fine, with higher penalties for repeated violations within a year. In December 2024, Kazinform reported that Kazakhstan became the first country in Central Asia to establish specific liability for the bullying and cyberbullying of children in a separate legal provision, which entered into force on June 16, 2024. It is also significant that the provision is now being applied in practice. According to data released in February 2026 by the Deputy Chair of the Committee for the Protection of Children’s Rights, around 200 cases of bullying and cyberbullying against children had been recorded in 2025. This figure is important not only in itself; it indicates that the state has begun systematically recording such incidents and that victims and their families are more likely to seek protection. The main strength of the Kazakh model is its clarity. The law explicitly defines the problem, outlines complaint procedures, and establishes specific liability. Its main limitation lies in implementation: as with domestic violence legislation, effectiveness depends on how prepared schools, parents, law enforcement, and online platforms are to apply it in practice. Uzbekistan: Cyberbullying Within the Child Protection Framework In Uzbekistan, there is no separate legal provision titled “cyberbullying,” but the country has taken a significant step in terms of child protection. The Law “On the Protection of Children from All Forms of Violence,” adopted on November 14, 2024, and in force since May 15, 2025, explicitly recognizes bullying as a form of violence against children. The law defines such violence as actions, including those carried out through telecommunications networks and the internet, that cause or may cause physical or psychological harm. The definition of bullying explicitly includes...

3 months ago

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