UNICEF: Progress depends on protecting rights of all children
UNICEF Representative in Baku Edward Carwardine has highlighted improvements in the protection of rights of children in Azerbaijan as he made a statement on Universal Children’s Day.
“Today, on Universal Children’s Day, as Azerbaijan continues to write new and exciting chapters in its history, there is no better moment to include every child in that story,” said Carwardine.
“Fulfilling the rights of every child is essential for any country’s sustained growth and development - by committing to expand their potential, and provide them with the skills and opportunities that will allow them to make a lasting contribution to the future of families, their communities and of their nation.”
20 November marks 27 years since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Azerbaijan ratified the CRC in 1992. The world’s most widely ratified human rights treaty, the CRC sets out a basic, universal standard for a healthy, protected, decent childhood for every human being.
“We have seen important progress in improving the lives of millions of Azerbaijani children in recent years. Lower levels of poverty, lower rates of mortality, more children in school, improved health of children and mothers are all evidence that children have been given significant attention,” said Carwardine.
“But we can all do more to make the Convention a reality for every child, if we invest in every child starting with those children who have not yet fully benefited from the progress made in the past,” he said.
Despite marked progress for children globally in recent decades, nearly six million children still die every year from preventable causes worldwide – and children from poor households are twice as likely as children from wealthier homes to die before reaching their fifth birthdays.
In December, UNICEF will mark 70 years of working around the world to bring life-saving aid, long-term support and hope to children whose lives and futures are endangered by conflict, crises, poverty, inequality and discrimination.
“In Azerbaijan, if we invest in the most vulnerable children first, we know that the benefits of that investment will impact not only disadvantaged children, but also benefit other children at the same time,” said Carwardine.
“By making the rights of all children a priority today, we reduce the likelihood of vulnerability and disadvantage being carried over to the next generation of children – and at the same time we can build a strong, successful and productive nation for everyone.”
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
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