Unite for Children: joining hands to celebrate children's rights and the voices of children and young people

DUSHANBE, 20 November 2023 – Children and young people in Tajikistan are raising their voices on the issues that matter to them in a series of local events to mark World Children’s Day, a Global Day of Action for children, by children.

Beginning with events hosted by the National Commission on Child Rights (NCCR), children and young people are engaging with key decision makers from the Government of Tajikistan, the development community, and the private sector. Together they are discussing issues such as climate, mental health, inclusivity, skill-building, and good nutrition.

“It is important for us adults to listen carefully to the voices of young people. They are not only the future of this country, but also its present. For us all to flourish in future, we need to take young people’s voices and opinions into account and create platforms for them to speak and be heard. I am always inspired and energized when I listen to young people’s ideas, worries and opinions.” Mr. Arthur van Diesen, UNICEF Representative in Tajikistan.

During the week of November 20 to November 26, UNICEF together with the Government of Tajikistan and partners are organizing a series of events to advocate for the full realization of every right for every child in Tajikistan, including:

• Youth-led dialogues focusing on climate change, skills, inclusiveness, mental health and good nutrition, bringing together experts, government representatives, heads of international organisations, international financial institutions, and private sector CEOs with more than 50 young people aged 14-24 to discuss and deliver a set of key messages in the form of youth recommendations to key decision-makers in the country.
• Youth-led public radio talks on climate change and mental health to raise awareness and discuss issues that matter to them.
• Football tournament with the Tajik Football Federation in Tursunzoda to engage children and young people and raise awareness of key child rights issues in Tajikistan.
• Lighting buildings blue in the cities of Dushanbe, Khujand and Bokhtar to show support and help children reimagine a better future.
• Presentation of a children's play by the "Lukhtak Puppet Theatre", written by children and young people, focusing on the prevention of bullying and stigmatisation of children with disabilities.
• Launch of online CRC e-learning courses in 50 schools to promote awareness of child rights.

In addition to these activations, UNICEF’s Champion for Children in Tajikistan Mr. Safarmuhammad Kodiri will help raise awareness and mobilize support for children’s rights and issues affecting young people through his social media, and by taking part in a youth led dialogue at the National Library of Tajikistan on the morning of the 20th of November 2023.

World Children's Day is UNICEF’s flagship global moment celebrated annually on 20 November to raise awareness and accelerate progress toward realizing children’s rights.

This year, Tajikistan celebrates the 30th anniversary of its ratification of the CRC. Since ratification in 1993, the Government of Tajikistan and UNICEF have been working together to promote the rights and well-being of every child in the country, with a particular focus on those most in need.

Similarly, with COP28 beginning on 30 November 2023, the World Children’s Day serves as a unique platform to emphasize that the climate crisis is a child rights crisis. This year the Committee on the Rights of the Child introduced General Comment No. 26, which explains how children’s rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child apply to environmental protection and confirms that children have a right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.