Belarus

SOS Children’s Villages ensures that children grow up with the care, protection and relationships they need to become their strongest selves (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Belarus).

Located in north-eastern Europe, on the border of Russia and Ukraine, Belarus is home to nearly 9.5 million people.
Less than 20% of the population are under the age of 18, making it a country with one of the lowest birthrates in the world. Many of these children and young people need support so that they can grow up safely, and have a future to look forward to.

SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it, in Belarus since 1995.

Villages in Belarus

  1. Borovljany
  2. Marina Gorka
  3. Mogilev

Children are at risk

One of the biggest challenges for families in Belarus is finding the support they need during hard times so that they can stay together. Children are at risk of losing the care of their parents due to various factors: Violence against children and women is common, especially in domestic settings. The high rates of substance dependencies and limited job opportunities are further reasons why children can’t stay with their families. Although the social support system in Belarus has improved in recent years, many families are falling through the gaps, especially in rural areas.

74%

Of parents in Belarus have violently disciplined their child

Violence

Violent methods of discipline against children are widely accepted across Belarus: 74% of parents have used some form of violent punishment against their child or children.
This violent behavior is seen in other areas of life too, with, for example, high rates of bullying in schools.
More work needs to be done to raise public awareness about the negative, long-lasting effects that violence can have on children and young people.

80%

Of children in state care in Belarus have living parents

Loss of parental care

In Belarus, 4 in 5 children who live in state-led care homes have living parents. These children are unable to live with their parents for a variety of reasons. The most common are: financial difficulties, domestic violence, and substance abuse.
Despite recent improvements, social support for families at risk in Belarus is still insufficient. Family support services are limited, and families are often only identified when they are already deep in crisis.

1 in 5

Young people in Belarus lack care and protection

Young people at risk

Many young people in Belarus face a difficult start in life: 1 in 5 children and young people aged between 10 and 17 lack adequate care and protection.
Violence against older children is also prevalent, with more than half of the children in this age group having experienced either physical or psychological violence from their caregiver.
This neglect has a serious impact on their development, mental health, and education, and is likely to continue to affect them into their adulthood.

Together we can make a difference for children in Belarus

470

Families

Can stay together

570

Children

Grow up in our care

170

Young people

Are supported on their way to independence

SOS Children’s Villages Belarus supports families so that they can stay together during the hard times. Most recently, we have started to support young mothers and their babies. When children and young people come into our care, we work hard to keep siblings together. The bonds formed during childhood often last a lifetime, and will help them face some of the challenges ahead (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Belarus).