21 November
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recently reached its 30th year mark this year and Myanmar commemorated the occasion at Thingaha Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
Attending the event were the Chairman of the National Committee for Child Rights and Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye, Union Minister for Ethnic Affairs Nai Thet Lwin, deputy ministers, Hluttaw representatives, UNICEF Myanmar representatives, national committee members and chairpersons of committees from the Union Territory and states and regions, and invited children.
Firstly, the Golden Butterfly Group comprised of children and teens from across the states and regions on the township-level committee for child rights matters, Duwun Group on the state and regional children Hluttaw matters, Kanaung Lawgyi Group on creating a space for children participation using social network technology, Da Alone Yae Athan Group on including more youth participation in committees for women and child rights, Baydar Group on youth Hluttaw for youths to discuss their own issues were all presented with innovative suggestions by the different groups and explanations for new ways for officials to regularly listen to the perspective of children were done in five exhibition displays. The Union Minister and entourage visited each of them, listened to the children and discussed with them.
Next, the event commenced with an opening address by the Union Minister. He said they are endeavoring for equal rights of all children in Myanmar and to ensure no one is left behind. He said there are about 17 million children across the nation who will be leading the future one day. Thus, this event aims to formulate appropriate legacies to leave behind for the next generation.
The Union Minister said they have five tasks to perform in relation with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. They are: enacting suitable law for the convention, forming a national mechanism to implement the facts in the convention, relevant ministries will cooperation with domestic and foreign NGOs and CSOs, monitoring and evaluating implementation of child rights, and submitting reports.
The Union Minister said they are to implement the four rights of children, which are the right to live, develop, protection and participation. He said healthcare is important for children’s right to live and development of their brains and bodies. He said the ministry has set a strategic plan for social protection that includes providing financial support for nutrition for pregnant mothers and infants up to two years old. He said they prioritize regions there are the least developed according to the index.
Next, UNICEF Myanmar Representative Ms June Kunugi delivered an address on the convention’s 30th anniversary. This was followed by playing the documentary video and a performance by the Myanmar Got Talent winning dance group Junior Creative. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement then signed a pledge for the next 30 years of achieving child rights.
Afterwards, attendees explored the exhibits and competition displays made by children and the Chairpersons of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Committee for Women and Child Rights of both the Pyithu and Amyotha Hluttaws delivered speeches and conferred prizes on the winning exhibition displays.—MNA
(Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
