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19th November World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse; 20th November Universal Children’s Day

The First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi reminds about two important dates for respecting of children’s right in the world.  19th November is World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse, and the 20th November is Universal Children’s Day. 

United Nations General Assembly in 1954 institute 20th November as a Universal Children’s Day, concerning as a day of activities devoted to promoting the ideals and the objectives of each of us and to provide with wellfare of the children of the world.

In addition, on the same day in 1989 UN adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 2000 the world leaders brought the Millennium Development Goals, which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015. Though the goals are all humankind, they are primarily about children.

Child abuse, especially sexual, economic, physical, as the others worst forms of child abuse, is a universal and alarming problem and look for increased attention and protection, as well as prevention measures at family-, national- and international level. The worst forms of child abuse, sexual, economic and physical child abuses every day are revealed and become a point of numerous discussions in the public and on political level.

Alerting Governments and civil society organizations to play a more active role in the promotion of and respect for the rights of the child (article 19 and 34 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child), and contribute to the prevention of child abuse, Women's World Summit Foundation (WWSF) proposed 19th November as the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse in synergy the International Day of the Child which has as its objective to be a rallying point around the issue of child abuse and the need for urgent effective prevention programs. The First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi is a member of the Women's World Summit Foundation (WWSF).

The Member States that has ratified the Convention on the Right of the Child among other things committed to:

 

Article 19. - States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.

ART. 34 - States Parties undertake to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. For these purposes, States Parties shall in particular take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent:
 (a) the inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity;
 (b) the exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices;
 (c) the exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials.

Republic of Macedonia in 1993 ratified the Convention on the Right of the Child and with that she committed herself to make an effort for successful realization of the obligations of the same. Also, in 2002 Macedonia has become a subscriber to the Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour adopted by the International Labour Organisation ILO where were emphasised the worst forms of child labour and the obligations that the state parties need to take in order to prevent child abuse labour.

There are 18.500 children on age of 7 to 18 years who are not involved in the schools although the education is compulsory according to the Constitution. About 2000 children are on the street. These children are very often victims of the worst forms on child labour abuse. The children who are excluded from the education process are most often victims of sexual abuse, of paedophilia, traffic in children, children on the street and children whose effort is exploited. They are left on the grace of the accidental passers-by or fighting themselves in most rough conditions in order to provide survive for themselves, and sometimes also for their families. One of the measures that the Government of Republic of Macedonia carries out through the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy is opening of Daily Centres for the children on the street. This measure has results. But, the final effect will be complete when on the children will be fulfilled the ensured right under the Constitution of RM and projected with the Convention, and that is the right on the child to be involved in the education process – the right of education.

In order to provide better protection for the children of the First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi suggest on necessity of synchronised action on all relevant institutions, undertaking of the duties and responsibilities projected with the Constitution and the Convention with the object of building society where will be equal opportunities for all children. Additionally, to remind that 2007 is pronounced as a year for equal opportunities for all. Because of that it is necessary better cooperation among the civil associations and the state institutions responsible for realisation on the regard and protection for all children in Macedonia.

Dragi Zmijanac, MA  
Founder – Executive Director
The First Children’s Embassy in the World - Megjashi