National Council of Children holds meeting on improving child protection
The National Council of Children met on Friday at the State Palace to discuss protection and promotion of the rights of children.
Representatives from state, domestic and international non-government organizations serving children, including Minister of Labor and Social Protection S.Chinzorig, Head of Parliament Standing Committee on Social policy, Education, Culture and Science Yo.Baatarbileg, Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund to Mongolia Alex Heikens, and Deputy Ulaanbaatar Mayor in Charge of Social Affairs Sh.Ankhmaa attended the meeting.
In his address, Prime Minister U.Khurelsukh pointed out that the government has started implementing a national program to protect children’s rights and promote their development, but cases of violence against children have not decreased.
He noted that weak results of performances of state and non-government organizations, and parental irresponsibility have negatively affected child protection.
According to a 2017 report, 1,066 children under the age of 18 were involved in 950 crimes; 127 children died, road accidents killed 55 children and injured 1,083, two children died and 159 were injured during horse races, 187 children became victims of sexual abuse, 12 of whom were boys.
Currently, 357 children are being sheltered in three public orphanages, and 662 children are living in 33 centers of international and domestic humanitarian organizations.
The prime minister instructed the minister of labor and social protection and representatives from government organizations serving children to study about resolve financial resources required for enhancing the living environment of public orphanages; include funds of programs and projects for increasing state social assistance and services to children in the state budgets in the coming years; report on violence against children; host trainings for the public, parents, teachers and instructors, and children to raise awareness about the importance of preventing violence against child; and increase responsibilities and participation of instructors and parents in protecting and promoting children’s rights.