Child protection is Vietnam's prime concern
Jan. 30 (VNA) -- Child care and protection are a prime concern of the Vietnamese government and people, affirmed Cabinet Minister Tran Thi Thanh Thanh, while addressing the second preparatory meeting for the UN General Assembly's special session on child care, which opened in New York on Jan.29.
She said that as the second country in the world ratifying the UN Convention on the rights of the child, Viet Nam already built and implemented its 1991-2000 national plan of action for the child with the involvement of relevant ministries and agencies as well as the Viet Nam Women's Union, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Viet Nam Peasants Association and other mass organizations.
Md. Thanh, who is also Chairman of the Viet Nam Committee for Child Care and Protection, further said that in last December and early 2001, Viet Nam organized three regional forums and a national conference on child care with the attendance of thousands of children across the country.
Many objectives have been reached in this regard such as the reduction of newborn and under-five children mortality rates, eradication of Vitamin A deficiency - related diseases and polio, and primary education universalization for children, she emphasized.
These achievements, she added, have been made possible by concerted efforts in all areas, ranging from Viet Nam's political commitment to its economic, social and cultural measures to carry out the plan as well as international help, including that of UNICEF, WHO, UNDP, UNFPA and non-governmental organisations.
However, Viet Nam has to encounter challenges such as malnourishment, street children, child labour and sexual abuse, unsafe water and environment, Mrs Thanh said.
Referring to Viet Nam's national plan of action for the 2001-2010 period, she said Viet Nam will boost educational development and child protection, with top priority given to the poverty-stricken and mountain regions, while enhancing the role of the entire community and the family as well as the involvement of children.--VNA
