The Ministry of Social Policy is already working on the details of the payment procedure and will soon announce what documents will be needed and where to apply.
According to the ministry, work is currently underway on the payment mechanisms in collaboration with other government agencies and "Tunduk." All procedures will be available online, eliminating the need for personal visits to government offices.
What can be purchased with 1,200 soms?
To find out how the new payment can be used, we visited the Osh market in Bishkek. Here, children's overalls cost from 600 soms, while quality models with prints can reach up to 1,500 soms. Pants for newborns will cost about 150 soms, and hats range from 80 to 100 soms.Diaper options are also diverse, and their prices depend on the brand and size. A pack of 36 costs around 450 soms, while a pack of 48 costs about 1,300 soms.
In one of the pharmacies, the prices for baby formula range from 500 to 900 soms depending on the volume, while premium brands can cost up to 2,500 soms per can.
How much do parents spend on a child?
Parents' expenses for one child vary. Some claim they spend about 2,000 soms a month on diapers for a three-month-old baby, while others report amounts exceeding 100,000 soms, considering not only food and clothing but also nanny services, toys, medical supplies, and other necessary items.Why do all receive the benefit, regardless of need?
President Sadyr Japarov noted that this decision was made in response to numerous appeals from citizens to support families with young children and reduce child poverty levels.He also added that there is a risk of potential abuse, but it is important that assistance reaches every child.
"The state is better off providing a few extra benefits to those who are not in urgent need than leaving even one truly needy child without support," the president said.
Expert Opinions
Nazgul Turdubekova, founder of the NGO "League of Child Rights Defenders," commented that universal payments for children under three years old are a positive step practiced in many countries around the world. She emphasized that although the benefit amount of 1,200 soms is small, it should be increased in the future considering inflation.The expert noted that such universal support eliminates discrimination and corruption that previously existed in the allocation of benefits. "Many women with children were unable to receive assistance due to a lack of documents or low literacy. Now this support will be available to everyone, which is an important step towards social justice," she added.
Although 1,200 soms will not fully cover the expenses for a child, for many families, it will provide important support that will help them purchase necessary items such as diapers or clothing.
It is also worth noting that in Kyrgyzstan, a one-time benefit called "Balaga suyunchu" of 4,000 soms is provided, along with the "Үй-бүлөгө көмөк" program for needy families. The "Bala ырысы" payment will be an additional support measure.
