On International Children’s Day, Ministry of Social Affairs completes the National Strategy for Children’s Rights

Damascus, (ST) – In conjunction with the International Children’s Day, which is celebrated on November 20 of each year, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and the Syrian Commission for Family and Population Affairs announced the completion of the National Strategy for Early Childhood Development and its Executive Matrix.

The ministry clarified in a post on its Facebook page that this achievement came as a confirmation of the state’s commitment to the principles of protecting and supporting children in facing the challenges resulting from the war and its harsh conditions. It indicated that the strategy was prepared according to a scientific and practical methodology that included data analysis and research, and conducting interviews and extensive meetings with the concerned partners.

The Syrian Commission for Family and Population Affairs led this effort in cooperation with members of the National Committee for Children’s Rights, to ensure the formulation of an integrated strategy that meets the needs of children and keeps pace with the requirements of national development.

According to the ministry, the strategy aims to achieve several goals, including providing comprehensive and integrated care for every child, ensuring their protection and taking into account all aspects of their growth and development within an approved legislative framework and a true national partnership, and providing high-quality interventions for every child in Syria, ensuring their rights to survival and development, and enabling them to later participate effectively in building society and achieving national development.

The ministry pointed out that this strategy comes as part of the Syrian government’s efforts to enhance the partnership between national bodies and relevant institutions, ensuring the provision of comprehensive support for children and building a sustainable future that meets the needs of future generations.

It is noteworthy that Syria is one of the first countries to sign the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1993 and ratified the two optional protocols later in 2008, and issued the Child Rights Law in August 2021, which is a qualitative leap in terms of strengthening the role of the state with its various public and private institutions in protecting and caring for the child and ensuring upbringing, development, and scientific, cultural, psychological and social rehabilitation to build their personality, enabling them to contribute to all areas of development and in line with the international Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This year, the World Children’s Day is celebrated according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) under the slogan “Listen to the future… Stand up for children’s rights.”

Raghda Sawas, Nada Haj Khidr