PM calls for joint effort to protect, develop children
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has called on all sectors of society to join together to protect, encourage and help children to develop so that they grow up to become productive citizens.
The premier made the call in his message to mark International Children’s Day, which falls on June 1.
On behalf of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the government, Prime Minister Thongloun urged Party and government organisations, the Lao Front for National Development, mass organisations, state and private businesses and the entire population to increase their responsibility in advancing the status of women and children towards a bright future, while ensuring the wellbeing of children.
All parties were asked to work harder to address the challenges facing children in order to realise the Lao children’s development vision for 2030, which requires everyone to take good care of, protect, and foster the development and participation of children.
These goals aim to create conditions and opportunities for children’s development so that they become productive adults with a bright future, grow into strong human resources for the nation, and competently carry out national development and protection tasks on the road to prosperity.
The prime minister said the Party and government have always attached great importance to the protection and development of children, who represent the nation’s future.
Thanks to achievements made in the protection and development of children in past years, children have been able to enjoy their rights. Illicit and sexual trade in children has been more effectively prevented and more has been done to address violence against children. Overall, children have benefited from enhanced protection and development.
“As a result, the Lao PDR is recognised as a country that has made sound progress in protecting and promoting the rights and interests of children, as well as eradicating all forms of discrimination and violence against children, while encouraging their participation and creating conditions that foster children’s development so that they grow up to be useful members of society,” Mr Thongloun said. However, there have been a number of challenges facing children, which have hindered their potential development, he added.
Particular challenges are poverty, malnutrition, mediocre enrolment rates in preschool and at compulsory education levels, inappropriate use of social media, and drug abuse, among others.
Prime Minister Thongloun described these issues as being a ‘threat and limitation to children’s development’. “These issues must be jointly addressed and minimised,” Mr Thongloun said. He expressed hope that the National Commission for the Empowerment of Women and Children, educational institutions, Party and state organisations, local administrations, friendly countries, international organisations, businesses, the general public, families and parents would continue to extend support and contribute to the protection, promotion, and development of Lao children so they could grow up to become virtuous adults.
By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
(Latest Update May 31, 2019) |
