DUSHANBE, June 3, 2013, Asia-Plus – This year, the International Children’s Day, June 1, coincided with the launch of UNICEF flagship publication “The State of the World’s Children 2013” report, which focuses on Children with Disabilities.
To commemorate this event and to continue to raise awareness on the situation for children with disabilities, UNICEF has partnered with the municipalities of Dushanbe, Qurghon Teppa, and Kulob, to launch a new initiative: Children and Adolescents’ Week. The week commenced from May 27 and culminated on June 1.
The Children and Adolescent’s Week operated under the theme: “Children with disabilities have abilities.” Children, including those with disabilities, were engaged with local authorities and stakeholders for opportunities to dialogue with and learn from each other. This joint-meeting of children and authorities builds upon the Safe and Friendly Dushanbe campaign in which this practice was first implemented.
The 2013 Children and Adolescents’ Week began with a meeting of 200 children of all abilities aged 12-18 years and parents of children with disabilities, during which representatives of local authorities responded to issues raised by the participants. The event took place in the Dushanbe Children’s Park. Topics for discussion varied from supporting children on social issues to removing barriers of accessibility and mobility. Similar meetings were held in Qurghon Teppa on June 1 and in Kulob on June 2.
The week continued the celebration with a series of activities, including interactive quizzes on children’s rights; drawing on asphalt; and concerts to commemorate the Children and Adolescents’ Week in Dushanbe, Qurghon Teppa and Kulob, and culminated in Dushanbe Children’s Park on June 1.
UNICEF and partners stress that children with disabilities have the same rights and needs as all children. They have the right to survive and thrive, to be included in the lives of their communities and societies, to live healthy lives and reach their full potential, and to become productive members of their society.
Recognizing a child with a disability as a member of the community encourages investment in removing physical, economic, communication, mobility and other barriers so that the child can fully exercise her or his rights.
International Children’s Day is celebrated on different dates in different countries across the world. Tajikistan and many other CIS countries commemorate Children’s Day on June 1while Universal Children’s Day is marked on November 20, the anniversary of adoption of the Convention of the Rights of the Child by the General Assembly.
