Myanmar, UNICEF jointly mark universal children's day in Yangon

YANGON, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) held a joint ceremony in Yangon Friday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), aimed at promoting the spirit of childhood in the country.

The event in Yangon was a follow-up of the first such event taking place in Nay Pyi Taw on Nov. 20.

The commemoration focused on some pertinent themes -- Healthy Child, Children and Education, Children at Risk and Children in Emergency and Recovery.

Speaking at the ceremony, U Kyi Soe, Director-General of the Myanmar Social Welfare Department, recounted the steps taken by Myanmar since ratification of CRC in 1991, followed by the formation of the National CRC Committee and enactment of the National Child Law.

He also mentioned the modalities of coordination between the national working groups located at different levels to monitor and address child rights in all parts of the country.

Noting the progress Myanmar made on various child rights indicators such as high rate of enrollment and gender parity in primary education and drop in diseases such as polio and measles, UNICEF Representative Ramesh Shrestha highlighted on the need for greater focus on maternal and neonatal health as the first four weeks of life that demand the most critical attention and also bear a major impact on improving child survival.

As other side events and child-centered activities of the ceremony, a photo exhibition, sponsored by the UNICEF and the Myanmar Photographic Society, displayed contest-winning photos featuring the lives and situation of children across Myanmar.

A cultural show was staged, in which Myanmar traditional dances were performed.

Besides, a concert for children was also staged, in which songs especially composed on the themes and child rights, were presented.

Moreover, a talking wall was introduced for young children for free hand writing and drawing to share with everyone their views of the world, their thoughts and wishes.

The first official Myanmar-UNICEF ceremony was held in Nay Pyi Taw last Friday, in which Myanmar Minister of Social Welfare Major-General Maung Maung Swe spoke on the progress made by Myanmar in different areas of CRC and in realizing the rights of the child.

He also shared some future plans of the government to improve the lives of children, calling on the global community to unite to protect the best interests of children and overcome the challenges in a concerted manner.

The UN agreement on children's rights was signed in Nov. 20, 1989 and Myanmar ratified it in 1991.