World Children's Day to be observed on Sunday

With the commencement of Children Rights Week, the World Children's Day 2021 will be observed in the country tomorrow.

The theme of this year's day is "Invest for Children, Build Prosperous World (Shishur Jonno Biniyog Kori, Somriddho Bishwo Gori)".

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday greeted the children on the occasion of the World Children's Day and Children Right Week 2021 urging them to make themselves as worthy citizens of the country.

The President, in his message, urged all, including senior citizens, family, society and state, to play their respective roles in ensuring rights of the children and helping flourish their inner potentials in a friendly atmosphere.

The head of the state said children will lead the nation as they will be entrusted with leadership, adding that it is important to foster them with love, compassion and education so that they could make a positive impact on the world in the days to come.

To build a livable world for children, he said, fundamental rights of children must be ensured and patriotism, as well as humanitarian qualities, must be built among them.

In her message, the Prime Minister said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman formulated the 'Children Act' in the country in 1974 in order to ensure children's rights.

She said Bangladesh is one of the signatory countries of The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) or the UN Children's Rights Charter.

Highlighting comprehensive measures taken by the ruling Awami League government to ensure health, education, recreation and welfare of the children, the premier said the government has formulated the National Child Policy 2011, the National Child Labour Elimination Policy-2010, Children Act-2013 and Persons with Disabilities Rights and Protection Act-2013.

The government is providing financial assistance for the welfare of children, including school dropouts, differently-abled and those who work in the risky environment, she added.

Side by side, the present government is taking steps to expand the activities of children and to set up and manage day-care facilities for children of tea gardens and garment workers, the premier said.

To ensure the education and nutrition of the child, she said the government is conducting various pragmatic activities regarding education, safe water and sanitation.

"Maternity and lactating maternity allowances are being provided to about 11 lakh mothers to ensure nutrition and good health of the children. In addition, the present government is expanding the activities of child development centers for extremely poor and marginalized children and setting up and operating day-care centers for children of tea-garden and garment workers," she said.

The world is currently facing a critical situation due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, she said, adding that even children are not safe in this situation and that is why the government is working to tackle the ongoing epidemic.

Both the president and the premier wished a success of all the programmes taken for marking the day and week.