Permanent Representative (PR) of Bangladesh Ambassador Masud Bin Momen has said Bangladesh remains committed to walk with the international community to promote and protect the rights of children.
He was speaking at the general debate on an agenda item titled ‘Promotion and protection of the rights of children’ under the 3rd Committee of the 74thSession of the United Nations General Assembly recently, said the Bangladesh Mission at the UN on Saturday.
As the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is approaching, Ambassador Masud said they must utilise this occasion not only to exemplify but also put to action the collective commitment to promote and protect rights of children all over the world.
Mentioning the recent two awards received by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina namely ‘Vaccination Hero’ from GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccination) for the recognition in the success of immunization and ‘Champion of Skill Development for Youth’ from UNICEF In recognition of continued efforts in skill development of youth, Ambassador Masud said these kind of awards recognizes Bangladesh’s continued progress in promoting and protecting children and youth rights and their developments. Referring the national plans and actions for children which are guided by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the PR said the birthday of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is observed in the country as National Children’s Day is a unique manifestation of the importance we attach to this.
Ambassador Masud enumerated many development indicators of the promotion and protection of the rights of children specially in health and education in Bangladesh such as achieving gender parity, cent present enrolment at primary education, enhancing the quality of education, emphasizing on e-learning, appointing qualified teachers, distributing free textbooks, providing scholarship and stipends, improving school infrastructure, significant improvements in child health services, creating 18,000 community clinics and Union Health Centers, proper attention to the children with disabilities etc. The PR also mentioned that Bangladesh government with the support of international community is addressing the initial health care, education and other needs of the Rohingya children. He urged the international community to come forward for their safe, secured, voluntary and sustainable return to their motherland.