TAJIKISTAN

A UNICEF report published in 2010 states that 78% of children aged 2-14 experienced violent discipline (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in 2005-2006. Six in ten experienced physical punishment, while a much smaller percentage (12%) of mothers and caregivers thought that physical punishment was necessary in childrearing, and non-violent discipline was also widely used: experienced by 89% of children. Nearly one child in five experienced severe physical punishment (being hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or being hit over and over with an implement) and 73% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted). Boys were slightly more likely than girls to experience violent discipline: 80% compared to 75%. Children aged 5-9 were more likely to experience violent discipline than those of other ages: 81% of children aged 5-9 compared to 69% of children aged 2-4 and 79% of children aged 10-14. Children living in larger households were more likely to experience violent discipline: 79% of children in households of 6 or more people compared to 61% of children in households of 2-3 people. The statistics also suggest that children with more siblings are more likely to experience violent discipline in most countries involved in the study (p. 72). No significant differences in children’s experience of violent discipline were found according to level of education of adults in the household or engagement in child labour. 

(UNICEF, 2010, Child Disciplinary Practices at Home: Evidence from a Range of Low- and Middle-Income Countries, NY: UNICEF) 

According to statistics from UNICEF on violence in the family, in 2005-2006 seventy-four per cent of girls and women aged 15-49 thought that a husband is justified in hitting or beating his wife under certain circumstances.

(UNICEF, 2009,  Progress for Children: A report card on child protection, NY: UNICEF)