PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has called on all ministries, institutions and authorities at all levels to increase the rights of children, especially girls, by making important changes that can address the root causes of discrimination, exclusion from society and the vulnerability of children, especially girls, indigenous children, and children with disabilities.
In the message from the Prime Minister, the Honorary President of the Cambodian National Council for Children, on the occasion of the 73rd International Children's Day on 1 June, the 21st World Day Against Child Labor on 12 June, and Cambodian Children's Day 2022, he called for all ministries and institutions to promote changes in implementation and policy at the local and national levels, and to increase transparency, accountability, equity, and virtue in providing services to children in order to achieve potential and beneficial human resource values in children.
The Prime Minister also ordered the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation to continue improving social services, especially counseling, rehabilitation, and integration for vulnerable children, and the National Council for Children should continue to cooperate with the Ministry and relevant institutions at both the national and sub-national levels, using existing mechanisms to promote the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation system, in particular the establishment of a nationwide child database to prevent all forms of child abuse.
He also called on children and the wider community to be prepared and responsive to any crisis, and to overcome difficulties in order to support the safe and successful development of children from birth to adulthood, by continuing to strengthen services to support and develop young children, including good nutrition, reproductive health, youth vocational training, and life skills.
Prime Minister Hun Sen also requested competent authorities at all levels, families, and communities to participate in promoting the prevention and elimination of human trafficking and child sexual abuse materials through online systems, in order to ensure safety in accordance with the principles of the best interests of the child. He further calls on all to participate in raising awareness and changing social attitudes in a positive way for children in the community, especially by giving children the opportunity to participate in changing their community, and to closely monitor the implementation of child rights on both the national and sub-national levels.
Former Child Rights Advocate and current Secretary of State for the Ministry of Social Affairs, Em Chan Makara, also celebrates International Children's Day and said he sees many changes in the government's involvement in promoting rights and protecting children in Cambodia. He said that many schools now use a new form of education that does not use violence against students, and that the number of children who work at home is reduced, as more children are able to develop their intelligence, access education and increase their participation on the international stage.
The Royal Government of Cambodia had postponed celebrations for International Children's Day for three consecutive years due to Covid-19, but the right to life through Covid-19 vaccination for children aged three years and above was implemented to prevent the spread of the virus, allowing for International Children’s Day celebrations to finally be held this year.
