Illustrative image (Source: VNA) The education and protection of children isconsidered a key political mission of Party Committees from central to locallevels and a top priority in the country’s socio-economic developmentstrategies.
Article 37 of the 2013 Constitution stipulates that “Children shall be protected,cared for and educated by the State, family and society; and participated inchild-related issues. Harassing, persecuting, maltreating, abandoning orabusing children, exploiting child labour or other acts that violate children’srights are prohibited.”
Additionally, the 13th National Assembly adoptedthe Child Law in April 2016, which will come into force in June 2017, with therevision and supplementation of some articles to concretise the Constitution and the convention.
The National Action Programme for Children alsoemphasised that children need to be treated as special citizens and cared forby the State and people and should enjoy a healthy environment for physical,intellectual and moral development.
The mortality rate of children under five hasbeen halved (39 per thousand to 20 per thousand live births) since 2000, whilethe number of stunted children has been reduced by nearly one third (from 36percent to 25 percent).
Vietnam has implemented extensive vaccinationprogrammes, improved healthcare services at schools and eliminated maternal andneonatal paralysis and tetanus.
The country has also carried out programmes toprotect children as well as policies to take care of those from disadvantagedfamilies, leading to the rate of needy children falling to 5.6 percent from 6percent between 2011 and 2015.
Last year, the nation spent over 100 billion VND(4.3 million USD) to support underprivileged children.
Despites these accomplishments, there are stillmany challenges in protecting child rights in Vietnam, including developmentgaps between urban and rural and ethnic minority areas.
A worrying fact is that sexual abuse of childrenand violence against children are increasing. According to the Ministry ofLabour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the country detected more than 5,300 childsexual abuse cases from 2012 to 2016.
To ensure child rights, Party committees at alllevels and the Vietnam Fatherland Front will step up communication campaigns toraise public awareness of the importance of caring for, educating andprotecting children.
The country will refine the legal system andexpand social welfare policies for children from remote and ethnic minorityregions.
Localities are requested to prioritise land forthe construction of schools and parks for children.
Regional and international cooperation andmobilising foreign financial resources will be promoted to take better care ofchildren as well as enhancing coordination between schools, families andsociety.
The Ministry of Labour Invalids and SocialAffairs has asked centrally-run cities and provinces to implement measures toprevent child abuse and violence.-VNA
VNA
