United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has decried all forms of discrimination against children asserting that it impacts negatively on their health, education and social development.
This was stated in a press release that was distributed to journalists yesterday in Gombe in honor of this year’s International Children’s Day and was signed by UNICEF’s communication officer Blessing Ejiofor.
“The impact of discrimination on children shows the extent to which racism and discrimination impact children’s education, health, access to a registered birth, and a fair and equal justice system, and highlights widespread disparities among minority and ethnic groups.
“Systemic racism and discrimination put children at risk of deprivation and exclusion that can last a lifetime.
“This hurts us all. Protecting the rights of every child – whoever they are, wherever they come from – is the surest way to build a more peaceful, prosperous, and just world for everyone,” she said in the press release.
She mentioned a new finding that, in an analysis of 22 countries, children from marginalized ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups lag far behind peers in reading skills.
UNICEF revealed that 18.3 million children in Nigeria are not enrolled in school, with a high number of children attending schools but not receiving a solid education that can lead to good future prospects, while urging the government at all levels to prioritize education over all social sectors.
According to LEADERSHIP, as part of celebrations for International Children’s Day, the non-profit organization selected a few schoolchildren to serve as newscasters at the Gombe Media Corporation (GMC) Television.
