Africa-Press – Tanzania. ARUSHA: THE United Nations has commended Tanzania’s efforts in championing children’s rights.
Through its specialised agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children (UNICEF), the international organisation commended the government for its efforts of advancing the rights of children.
Speaking on Wednesday, UNICEF Country Representative, Ms Elke Wisch said, as one of the pioneers and exceeding to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the principal duty bearer, the government of Tanzania has been championing children’s rights leading to progressive results in child health, nutrition, education skills and child protection.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the government for the progress made across all child related development indicators”, said the UNICEF official while delivering her remarks on World Children’s Day celebrations, marked on Wednesday.
According to Ms Wisch, UNICEF had taken note of the significant progress made for children and their families across the country, thanks to the leadership of the government of Tanzania.
She further noted that the reality of climate change requires the world to do even more and call for renewed commitment increased investment and further accelerated action to safeguard the progress made to date.
The UNICEF Country Representative urged countries to rise to the dual challenges of realising the potential of a growing child population while protecting children from the increasing risks the environmental crisis presents, acknowledging both the special vulnerability and the incredible potential as agents of change for the environment.
“Climate Action is a priority for us at UNICEF and the United Nations as a whole, and we know it is a priority for the government of Tanzania. We’re proud to be supporting Tanzania as a member state in collaboration with other partners to make the essential social services that children rely on, such as wash, health care, nutrition and education, more resilient to the effects of climate change and environmental degradation”, she explained.
In the same vein, Ms Wisch reaffirmed UNICEF’s unwavering commitment to working with the Tanzanian government, civil societies and other partners to ensure that every child in Tanzania realises the right to a resilient and sustainable future where their rights are protected.
The UNICEF official also appealed to countries to do more in putting children at the top of the Climate Action Agenda.
In his rejoinder, Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment) Dr Selemani Jafo assured that Tanzania would ways remains committed to protecting children’s rights.
According to Dr Jafo, children were bearing the most brunt of climate change, noting that the government will remain steadfast in cushioning them against such shocks.
“Children are more vulnerable than adults to the effects of climatic and environmental shocks and stresses, let me reaffirm Tanzania’s commitment in protecting children against the pangs of climate change”, he said.
Tanzania ratified the Convention on Rights of the Child in 1991. Though CRC was ratified in 1991, significant steps were made in 1996 with the adoption of the first Child Development Policy.
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