ZCZC
BSS-16
FATIMA-UNICEF-COVID
UNICEF for finding ways to protect children from COVID-19 consequences
DHAKA, Sept 9, 2020 (BSS) – UNICEF current Executive Board President Ambassador Rabab Fatima, who is Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN, has called for finding creative and innovative solutions prioritizing distance learning to protect children from the crisis posed by dire consequence of COVID-19 pandemic.
“We cannot allow the pandemic to become a children’s crisis,” she said while addressing the opening segment of the Second Regular Session of the UNICEF Board in New York on Tuesday, according to a press release received here today.
The executive president called upon the UNICEF to make access to online and distance learning a top priority now in line with the thematic focus on education of the country programme.
She stressed the importance of creative thinking and innovative solutions to adapt their programmes and close collaboration with other agencies for tackling this unprecedented crisis.
“The impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on essential services and regular programmes for the children is a matter of serious concern,” she said.
She also highlighted the dire consequences facing the children across the globe due to the Pandemic with sobering reports of over 80 million children pushed into extreme poverty, 1.6 billon going out of school, 80 million under the age of one missing out life-saving vaccines and 36 million children going hungry.
Noting that girls are at particular risk in Covid-19, the Bangladesh PR called for more investment in girls’ education for ensuring “their advancement, their dignity, and protecting them from exploitation”.
She highlighted the importance of unlocking full potentials of women and girls by removing different barriers including gender-based violence and discrimination, lack of awareness and facilities of menstrual health and hygiene etc.
Identifying drawing as a leading cause of global mortality among 1-14 years old with more than 320,000 deaths every year, Fatima called upon UNICEF to strengthen its advocacy work on drowning prevention at the country level, together with WHO and other bodies.
The opening session was addressed, among others, by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore who gave a comprehensive overview of the works of, as well as the challenges faced by, the UNICEF.
This was followed by country statements from Permanent Representatives and delegates from member states across the world.
BSS/PR/TA/GMR/1505 hrs