This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of UNICEF and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................5 Acronyms and abbreviations ....................................................................................................6 Glossary ...................................................................................................................................6 Executive Summary ..............................................................................................................7 I. Background ....................................................................................................................15 II. Methodology .................................................................................................................23 2.1. Management of the study ........................................................................................24 2.2. Study goals and objectives .......................................................................................24 2.3. Population Demographics ........................................................................................25 2.4. Sampling ..................................................................................................................26 Quantitative Sampling ..............................................................................................26 Qualitative Sampling .................................................................................................28 III. Data. Analysis ................................................................................................................31 3.1. Data collection and analysis methods ......................................................................32 3.2. Study Limitations .....................................................................................................34 3.3. Ethical considerations and data protection ..............................................................35 IV. Key findings ...................................................................................................................38 4.1. General migration patterns and characteristics of migrant households with children .............................................................................................................39 Migration trends .......................................................................................................39 Countries of destination ...........................................................................................41 Drivers of labour migration in Uzbekistan.................................................................42 Occupation when abroad .........................................................................................44 Children left behind: estimates and characteristics of households ..........................46 Childcare arrangements ...........................................................................................53 4.2. Living conditions of children left behind ...................................................................55 Living conditions in migrant households ..................................................................55 Main sources of income ...........................................................................................57 4.3. Health and nutrition of children left behind ..............................................................58 Nutrition ...................................................................................................................58 Perceived health and health practices ......................................................................61 Access to healthcare ................................................................................................62 Vaccination ...............................................................................................................64 4.4. Education of children left behind ..............................................................................65 Access to education .................................................................................................65 Educational performance of children ........................................................................67 Absenteeism and dropout ........................................................................................70 3 Extra-curricular activities and educational support ...................................................75 Children’s aspirations ...............................................................................................80 4.5. Psychological well-being of children left behind ......................................................81 Effects of migration on the mood of children and caregivers ...................................81 Trust and opportunities to share problems ...............................................................82 Changes in behaviour ...............................................................................................87 Emotional well-being ................................................................................................91 Communication with migrant parents ......................................................................93 4.6. Child protection (safety) ...........................................................................................94 Discipline and punishment .......................................................................................94 Child engagement in different types of work activities ............................................97 Attitudes towards early marriage .............................................................................99 4.7. Awareness, access, and satisfaction with social services of migrant families with children ........................................................................................................... 101 V. Lessons learned ...........................................................................................................108 VI. Validation ..................................................................................................................... 110 VII. Key conclusions and recommendations ................................................................... 112 General conclusions ...................................................................................................... 113 Specific conclusions related to children’s well-being and access to services ............... 114 Annex 1. References ...........................................................................................................122 Annex 2. Informed consent form for caregivers (survey) ....................................................126 Annex 3. Informed consent form for caregivers (FGDs) .....................................................128 Annex 4. Informed consent form for service providers (FGDs) ..........................................130 Annex 5. Informed consent form for expert interviews (KIIs) .............................................132 Annex 6. Informed consent form for children (FGDs) .........................................................134 Annex 7. Informed consent form for children (survey) ........................................................136 Annex 8. Survey questionnaire with primary caregiver .......................................................138 Annex 9. Survey interview questionnaire with the child (11-17 YO) ....................................155 Annex 10. FGD guide for caregivers ...................................................................................168 Annex 11. FGD guide for children .......................................................................................175 Annex 12. FGD guide for service providers ........................................................................181 Annex 13. KII guide .............................................................................................................185 Annex 14. Referral protocol for suspected child abuse ......................................................190 Annex 15. Sample breakdown by regions ..........................................................................191 Annex 16. Terms of reference ............................................................................................195 Annex 17. Statistical analysis ..............................................................................................202 Annex 18. Research Ethics Approval ..................................................................................204 4 Acknowledgements ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The present report ‘Study on effects of migration on children of Uzbekistan’ was prepared thanks to the commitment of national and international stakeholders: • The Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan provided support and facilitated access to the population through khokimiyats from twelve selected districts in four regions of Uzbekistan; • The Republican Center for Social Adaptation of Children provided support to families and children identified as in need for assistance based on study results; • The Scientific Practical Research Center Oila participated in the trainings and provided support for service delivery in selected areas of