UNICEF Calls For HK To Uphold Child’s Rights And Establish Harmonious Family on 6.1 International Children’s Day
2010-06-04
HONG KONG (31 May 2010) – June 1 marks the International Children’s Day. Recent deaths or serious victimization of children whosuffered from abuse, neglect has shocked society in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF appeals to the general public and calls for support to uphold the 4 pillars of Child’s Right and recommends protocols of establishing a harmonious family, creating a better place for children.
According to the latest edition “Facts For Life 2010” published by UNICEF, the annual number of global under-five deaths a year is less than 9 million, which has dropped near 30% compare with the number in 1990, including 4 million newborns worldwide are dying in the first month of life and 1.5 million children die from diarrhoea. In addition, an enormous number of children are still living with violence, trafficking, lose of basic education (See appendix). “UNICEF commits to continue our hard work to ensure and uphold child’s right. The right of survival, protection, development and participation are the fundamental of children’s well-being, thus benefit from living fully compatible with their human dignity.” Ms. Irene Chan, the Chief Executive of HKCU stated. “A harmonious family is very important to children’s growth. To achieve this goal and tobuild quality of life for children, we recommend 7 protocols on parenting to ensure harmonious family.”7 Child-friendly parenting protocols:
1. Respect for the child’s rights: allow children to oppose parents’ views, be fair, and make sense of things form children’s viewpoints.
2. Caring and protection: have regular family activities, respect children’s privacy, and provide children with protection and security.
3. Supportive verbal message: apologize if parents have done something wrong, avoid threatening children and saying discouraging words.
4. Enhancing parent-child relationship: avoid taking temper out on children and spend time to share and listen to children’s concerns.
5. Positive parental behaviors: be trustworthy, give up gambling, stop drinking alcohol and be less face sensitive.
6. Discipline: praise if doing good and publish if wrong, loosen restrictions when children grow up.
7. Participation rights: let children participate in making decision in family affairs, encourage children to share family duties and be fair in role division.