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As per the President’s instructions, Maria Lvova-Belova is travelling across Russia to inspect the system for preventing child abandonment.

Her team spent several days in the Trans-Baikal Territory, following which they will prepare relevant recommendations for the regional government.

The Commissioner met with Governor Alexander Osipov to discuss the protection of children’s rights. He expressed support for the main goal of the nationwide inspection, which is to reduce the number of children in social institutions.

During a meeting with the region’s executive authorities, Maria Lvova-Belova proposed refocusing these institutions from taking care of children to helping families. This implies the establishment of day care departments and centres, nurseries for children aged up to 12 months, and social hotels. The Commissioner spoke out against formalism in working with families in difficult situations. Maria Lvova-Belova said that the placement of children in social institutions at the request of their parents should include a plan for returning them to their families.

The Children’s Commissioner held an expanded meeting of the Regional Commission for Juvenile Affairs and Rights, which was attended by the heads of agencies on preventing child neglect and juvenile crime, as well as guardianship and custody bodies.

The Trans-Baikal Territory was one of the first regions to join the Commissioner’s project of day care centres for children with disabilities, where children can learn social and domestic skills while their parents take time for themselves. In Chita, Maria Lvova-Belova visited the first such centre in Russia, The Purple House, where about 90 children with various disabilities have received assistance. The children’s ombudsman presented a digital art board to the animation studio of The Purple House.

After meeting with people in the Trans-Baikal Territory, Maria Lvova-Belova undertook personal responsibility for helping two families in difficult situations. She also visited a specialised infant orphanage, a drug abuse clinic, and the Doveriye (Trust) centre of psychological and pedagogical assistance, where she met with children and parents.

In addition, the commissioner held an informal meeting with large families.