DILI, 13 june 2022 (TATOLI)- The Institute for the Defense of Children’s Rights (INDDICA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recommend the media publish the data about education and health for children in Timor-Leste.
“Social communication agencies must convey the reality experienced by children. The communication Agency is a tool to promote children’s rights at the social level. They have to research, confirm, and be informed of the children’s data and report to the community level,” INDDICA president Dinorah Grandeiro told reporters, at the manleuana.
Mrs. Grandeiro said therefore the protection of journalists is most required because they can disseminate and promote information more effectively.
Emmanuelle Collet, UNICEF Representative in Timor-Leste, emphasized that 75% of children are not in school, 47% are malnourished, 70% do not have birth certificates and 51% of children are not vaccinated, such as diphtheria and tetanus.
The representative also stated that 53% of mothers did not breastfeed their children, 47% of pregnant women gave birth at home, 46% of Timorese did not have access to basic sanitation and 93% did not wash their hands frequently.
According to Emmanuelle Collet, human cognitive development begins in the first years of life, therefore “it is very important to protect and encourage children.”
Journalist: Jesuína Xavier
Editor: Maria Auxiliadora / Nelia Borges
Translation: José Belarmino De Sá
