The invisible ones, now on focus [Archives:2005/904/Front Page]
By: Amel al-Ariqi
As the world presses ahead with the strategies, initiatives and financing needed to realize the vision of the Millennium Declaration, it must not allow the children most in need of care and protection – the excluded and the invisible – to be forgotten. This was the main theme of the 2006 program launched by UNICEF around the world. With the launching of the annual “State of the World's Children Report 2006” (SOWCR 2006 ) in Taj Sheba yesterday the issue of invisible and excluded children was highlighted. This event was conducted under the patronage of Minister of Human Rights Ms. Amat Alaleem Alsoswa and attended a large audience of media people, children's parliament and activists. Ms. Flavia Pansieri Country UN representative attended the opening remarks as well.
“This is a very important issue that concerns everyone especially the journalists, this is why we wanted to make it a media launch. There is a change from the five regular themes UNICEF usually works on which are HIV/AIDS, girls' education, nutrition, child labor and early childhood development, to including one more critical issue. This time the report highlights the millions of children who have not been the beneficiaries of past gains, the ones who are excluded or invisible.” Naseem-Ur-Rehman, Chief Communication & Information explained in the welcome address.
The report is a sweeping assessment of the world's most vulnerable children, whose rights to a safe and healthy childhood are exceptionally difficult to protect. These children are growing up beyond the reach of development campaigns and are often invisible in everything from public debate and legislation, to statistics and news stories. Without focused attention, millions of children will remain trapped and forgotten in childhoods of neglect and abuse, with devastating consequences for their long-term well-being and the development of nations. The report argues that any society with an interest in the welfare of its children and its own future must not allow this to happen.
UNICEF representative Dr. Ramesh Shrestha presented the overview of the SOWCR 2006. The report is available online at the UNICEF website and will be reported in details in the Yemen Times next issue. In her keynote Ms.Amat Alaleem Alsoswa, Minister of Human Rights, explained that the children are half of the present and all the future and it hurts to see the current conditions they are going through in Yemen, especially with the available resources. She urged all present to come together and promote this cause emphasizing on the role of media. Speaking about media Ms. Nadia al-Sakkaf Editor in Chief of the Yemen Times mentioned in her talk that media's role is to throw light on the dark places of our society and children are part of our society. She stressed that there is no excuse for ignoring this issue any further, by the media or others. The challenges and response for invisible and exploited children were highlighted by Dr. Nafisa Al-Jaifi, Head of Higher Council for Motherhood and Childhood and then followed by remarks by Mr. Hussain Basaleem, Deputy Minister Information. Concluding was the keynote about the children's perspective on “Invisible and Exploited Children” by Ms. Shima, Children Parliament Representative.
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