World Children’s Rights Day: 5 million children do not reach the age of 5 every year

Since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1989, World Children’s Rights Day is celebrated every year on November 20. Commenting on the day, Dr. Lecturer Member Cihan Avcı Braun reminded that the main theme of this year’s UN Children’s Rights Day is all the rights of all children.

PREVENTABLE DEATHS

Noting that although the living conditions of children around the world have improved compared to previous years, there are differences between countries and regions, Braun said: “Compared to 1990, when the Convention on the Rights of the Child came into force Today, an average of ten thousand fewer children die each year. Despite this, according to UNICEF calculations, 5 million children continue to die each year before their fifth birthday. “Many of these deaths could be avoided if there was clean water, better hygiene conditions and a functioning health system,” he said.

Dr. Lecturer Member Cihan Avcı Braun

8 MILLION NEW CHILD WORKERS IN 4 YEARS

Noting that children suffer the most from wars, Braun also provided information on the rate of children going to school, saying: “Although the school attendance rate has increased worldwide, 250 million children are still not go to school today. “According to the report published in 2021 as a result of joint research carried out by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, the number of child workers has reached 160 million and this number has increased by 8.4 million in the last 4 years. “

HABITS SHOULD BE ACQUIRED AT AN EARLY AGE

According to the Turkey Child Survey 2022 report published by UNICEF in April 2023 and based on information received from 14,705 children, the rate of children in the age group of 3 to 17 years who bathe at least twice a week is 89 percent; The rate of children brushing their teeth once a day is only 35 percent.

Braun emphasized that the most important reason for these figures is the reflection of parents’ habits on children, and stated that children should acquire these habits from an early age. Pointing to sports as an example of habits that must be acquired from a young age, Braun explained the importance of providing opportunities for children to acquire sports habits.

Braun noted: According to the same UNICEF report, we see that the rate of children between 4 and 17 years old participating in sports activities is 35 percent. Almost half of this rate consists of walking and running activities. The total rate for football, basketball, volleyball and cycling activities is limited to 15 percent. (DHA)