Child Rights are Women's Rights, says UNICEF Afghanistan

Islamabad (Office of the United Nations Co-ordinator for Afghanistan), 13 December 2000 -- "Children's rights cannot be realised if the health and well being of women are not being addressed. Sick, hungry, and oppressed women do not have the ability to nurture their children adequately." UNICEF Resident Project Officer, Mahboob Shareef stated this at a large gathering on the launch of UNICEF's State of the World's Children report, in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. UNICEF and the Ministry of Health jointly organised the launch.
"Investment in development and care of the youngest children is a fundamental form of good leadership and closely linked to the rights of children," Mr. Shareef added. "We also need to ensure that positive use is made of Afghan culture, which puts children at the centre of the family."

The Taliban Head of the Foreign Affairs Department in Mazar-i-Sharif said that Islam stresses the rights of children to life, food, and freedom. UN Regional Co-ordinator Ms Farhana Farouqi appealed to the authorities to develop policies and to allocate funds to ensure a good life for children.

In addition, UNICEF organised a series of other events in collaboration with social and children's groups in Mazar-i-Sharif. These included a women's seminar on the role of mothers in early childhood development, youth gatherings to disseminate messages on childcare, and a discussion session with children to understand children's perceptions of basic rights, growth and development.

A group of Afghan children at the launch in Mazar-i-Sharif presented to the representative of the Governor a memorandum, in which they referred to the rights of children presented in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Their memorandum highlighted children's rights to a decent standard of living, education, rest and leisure, and free participation in cultural life and arts. The governor's representative responded positively and confirmed that the issues presented by the children would be addressed.

In Kabul the launch of the SOWC report was celebrated by a women's gathering in the health sector. Fifty women from NGOs, health institutions, education, RRD, and social mobilisers participated. Children present made a strong call for peace, education for girls and boys, better health services, and a clean environment. The women at the meeting committed themselves to undertake an active role in early childhood development, and reiterated the need for peace and support for women's rights.

The State of the World's Children is a yearly assessment of the well being of children, and provides governments, leaders, the assistance community, individuals, and the media with information and recommendations on the way forward in the interest of children. This year's report emphasises the importance of early childhood development.

Globally, there are 170 million children malnourished, over 100 million children never see the inside of a school, and one out of every ten children is disabled.

For further information, please call, Dr. Solofo Ramaroson, UNICEF 0303-7866298