The event was a dialogue of action and orientation among relevant parties including governments, policymakers, youth organizations, civil society organizations, and private sectors in ASEAN countries.

Illustrative image.

It offered an opportunity for delegates to discuss strategic plans and actions to empower girls and women as well as eliminate CEFM, in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the Millennium Development Goals.

In his opening speech, Deputy General Secretary of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Kung Phoak stressed that CEFM is not only an issue for some countries in Southeast Asia but also a major challenge for all ASEAN countries in ensuring the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

These problems stem from gender inequality and discrimination, long-standing customs and traditions, and a lack of education and opportunities for the poor, he said.

This situation has caused a wave of knock-on effects, hindering the progress of society by taking away the childhoods, right to an education, and opportunities for millions of children, especially girls, across Asia.

It also leads to a greater risk of violence, abuse, poor health, or premature death, he added.

Solutions to this complex problem require the comprehensive coordination of many relevant parties and a determination to implement political commitments into sustainable and concrete actions.

Participants also pointed out evidence and data on the popularity of CEFM, highlighting challenges in addressing this issue, and calling for efforts and actions to promote gender equality and women empowerment, especially the elimination of CEFM in ASEAN countries.

Project raises children’s awareness of food safety

The Vietnam Cooperative Union for Safe Agricultural Consumption (UCA) and Ly Thai To primary school in Hanoi jointly held a Spring fair on January 25 to start the “From farm to school” project that aims to strengthen children’s awareness of food safety.

 

Vietnamese, Danish authors get children involved in literature

Writers and painters from Vietnam and Denmark with host a workshop for children to discover literature from the two countries on January 12 in Hanoi.

 

Vietnam-Cuba friendship school built for Cuban handicapped children

A Vietnam-Cuba friendship school has been inaugurated in Santiago city, Santiago de Cuba province of Cuba for children with physical disability on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the victory of the Cuban Revolution (January 1).

 

Vietnam targets vaccination rate of 95 percent for under-1-year-old children

The health sector aims to have over 95 percent of under-one-year-old children nationwide fully vaccinated in the expanded national immunization programme by 2020, heard a conference in Hanoi on January 7.

 

First football tourney for disadvantaged children slated for 2019

The first football tournament for disadvantaged children nationwide is set to take place in 2019, heard a press briefing in Hanoi on December 26.

 

Source: VNA