WAYS TO IMPROVE SOCIAL WORK TO REDUCE EARLY MARRIAGE IN UZBEKISTAN

This article examines how social work can help reduce the risk of early marriage in Uzbekistan and identifies practical ways to strengthen prevention. Early marriage is approached not merely as an issue of legal age, but as a complex social concern associated with school disengagement, economic dependency, gender inequality, family and community pressure, limited knowledge of reproductive health, and barriers to protective services. The study draws on a review of national legal provisions and international guidance, a systems perspective, and conceptual analysis of social work practice. It argues that prevention should be coordinated across schools, mahalla institutions, healthcare providers, employment services, and agencies supporting young people and women. Recommendations include early risk identification, case management, family counselling, legal-literacy activities, support for continued education, confidential referral pathways, and outcome monitoring. The article is an analytical review of legal and practice frameworks; it does not claim to report original survey findings.