MSSI : Family is the main key in shaping children’s character for a bright future
DILI, 19 november 2021 (TATOLI)—Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Solidarity and Social Inclusion (MSSI), Signi Verdial said, family, is the main key in shaping children’s character and preparing them for the future.
Signi highlights her statement at the Commemoration of Children World Day of this year with the theme ‘ together we protect children from the pandemic and natural disasters.
“Family must be the main key to a child’s success, if the family is strong, then automatically the child will be strong in society, school, and for the nation,” said Verdial.
According to Verdial, World Children’s Day offers everyone an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogue and action that will build a better world for children, saying if the child has made a mistake, parents must properly talk with them to deal with the problem that they face.
“We know that many children are facing problems but choose to be quiet because they are too afraid that they will receive no protection from anyone,” she said.
According to the data from the MSSI shows around 700 children in Timor-Leste encounter various forms of violence every year and need special attention from entities and families.
“It’s not about how many children are in the case, but how we can all prevent violence against children,” she said.
Commissioner of the National Commission for the Children’s right, Dinora Granadeiro, said the commemoration of children’s day, the Government and partners hold a dialogue to hear mutual recommendations from everyone as a nest to be able to provide good services to children.
“We have had a dialogue since yesterday and we have received many recommendations to provide effective service for children including school service, child protection laws, children’s rights, and others,” she explained.
The representative of UNICEF in TL, Bilal Durrani said this celebration is an important moment and cannot let the rights and welfare of children fall victim to the pandemic.
“We must take the opportunity to take bold and urgent action to secure the future of our children and the world we want,” said Bilal Durrani.
He also promised that UNICEF will do everything in its capacity, to ensure that children, especially the most vulnerable, are empowered, healthier, more educated, productive, and safer.
World Children’s Day was first designated in 1954 as World Children’s Day and is celebrated on November 20 every year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children around the world, and improve children’s well-being.
November 20 is an important date because in 1959 the United Nations General Assembly ratified the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. This is also the date in 1989 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
It is recalled that in 1990, World Children’s Day has also marked the anniversary of the date the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration and Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Mothers and fathers, teachers, nurses and doctors, government leaders and civil society activists, religious and community leaders, entrepreneurs and media professionals, as well as young people and children themselves, can play an important role in making World Children’s Day relevant to them, society and nation.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
