With the beginning of the second term of this school year, the incidence of peer bullying and harassment in school environments has risen significantly, prompting the National Trauma and Orthopaedic Research Center (NTORC) to issue an urgent advisory for parents, guardians, and supporters. Bullying is defined as the repeated use of words or actions that threaten the mental and physical well-being of an individual. In 2024, 1,343 children sought emergency medical assistance from NTORC after being subjected to bullying by both strangers and peers.
Among the most common injuries sustained by children involved in peer bullying, according to NTORC, are head trauma, soft tissue injuries, fractures such as broken noses and fingers, and dislocated joints. In some instances, more severe injuries have occurred, highlighting the urgent need for action to prevent these incidents.
The center has outlined several key individuals and groups who can intervene to stop bullying in schools, including teachers, school bus drivers, parents, police officers, social workers, psychologists, medical professionals, store clerks near schools, and other government officials. Additionally, a helpline for children—108—is available for those in need of assistance.
“Preventing bullying is everyone’s responsibility. We cannot stand by in silence while children are subjected to violence,” the advisory emphasized.
In line with these concerns, the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Protection, along with the National Council for Children (NCC), held their first meeting of the year to discuss the urgent need for stronger child protection policies. The council members outlined plans to implement the Law on Children Protection more rigorously this year and focus on strengthening the primary care systems at the local level. According to the National Statistics Office, there are currently 983,000 households and 1.3 million children in Mongolia. A third of these households are living in poverty, with 13,200 children facing severe conditions that put them at significant risk.
The council acknowledged that the lack of a unified family policy has hindered progress in addressing the issues that families and children face. As a result, they are working to develop a comprehensive child protection policy that takes into account the unique needs of different population groups. Additionally, a draft law aimed at supporting families is under development to improve child care, financial assistance, safety, and overall well-being.
The council is also focused on improving family-oriented child protection policies. These policies will be incorporated into long-term strategies, which include the creation of laws to support families designed to enhance child care, safety, and financial aid. Moreover, there is a push to establish comprehensive family development centers in every province and district, alongside the introduction of digital services to streamline access to social services.
“The introduction of this new legislation will improve the quality of life for children and families, contributing to a more stable population growth and a more secure future for our children,” NCC stated. By integrating family-based protection policies with modern digital services, the aim is to create a safer and more supportive environment for children across Mongolia.
These interconnected efforts underscore the importance of a holistic approach to child protection—one that encompasses immediate interventions like addressing bullying, as well as long-term structural changes to support the well-being of families. The combined strategies of both the ministry and NCC signal a commitment to securing a safer future for the children of Mongolia.
