Lesson 14 : International programmes for Girl Child
International programmes for girl child
UNICEF is active in more than 190 countries and territories through country programmes and National Committees. UNICEF means the United Nations Children’s Fund. UNICEF is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. This organisation believes that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. UNICEF upholds the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It works to assure equality for those who are discriminated against, girls. It advocates for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future. It promotes girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children. It works to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. It acts so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished, because it is wrong for a child to suffer or die from a preventable illness.
UNICEF is supporting various state government education programmes in India, particularly in Bihar to reach out to a large number of children especially girls. UNICEF is supporting an initiative called 'Sankalp' which strives to put 2.3 million out of school children in the age group of 6-14 years back to school. UNICEF is also providing support for mobilisation and training of Mahila Samakya.
Participants