child

Half of world’s pregnant women lack access to skilled care at childbirth – UN agency

12 December 2006
Aiming to help save the lives of more than 5 million women and over 45 million newborns by 2015, midwives and public health experts from 20 countries around the world have gathered in Tunisia for the first-ever International Forum on Midwifery in the Community, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reported.

Gender equality and children’s wellbeing go hand in hand, says new UNICEF report

11 December 2006
Calling for more action to counter pervasive discrimination against women, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today launched a report highlighting that “gender equality and the well-being of children go hand in hand,” and recommending a raft of measures, from greater investment in girls’ education to imposing quotas ensuring woman are better represented in politics.
Security Council

Annan calls for action to protect children from conflict; Council reiterates commitment

28 November 2006
Member States have done much over the past decade to protect children from the ravages of armed conflict, through new laws, prosecutions and investigations, but this is just the beginning and more needs to be done, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and other senior officials told the Security Council today.

1.16 million newborns in sub-Saharan Africa die each year – UN report

22 November 2006
Each year at least 1.16 million newborns die in sub-Saharan Africa within the first 28 days of life, making the region the world’s most dangerous to be born in, yet more than two thirds of these infants could be saved with low cost, low tech action, according to a United Nations-backed report released today.

UN labour agency report finds children endure widespread violence at work

21 November 2006
Millions of children face systemic violence in their workplaces, ranging from physical or verbal abuse to sexual harassment, rape and even murder, according to a landmark new report from the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO).

Child soldiers continue to be recruited and used around the world, says UN report

20 November 2006
Government forces, rebel groups, armed militia and mercenaries operating in conflicts in at least 12 countries recruit children to serve as soldiers or are responsible for murdering, torturing and committing sexual crimes against them, according to a new report from Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Haya Rashed Al Khalifa

General Assembly president urges action to help orphaned children

17 November 2006
Orphaned children are among the most vulnerable groups in the world, and the international community must work to protect them, the United Nations General Assembly President said this evening.

UN adviser visits Sri Lanka to ensure children are better protected from conflict

6 November 2006
A United Nations Special Adviser on children and armed conflict has begun a 9-day field visit to Sri Lanka aimed at ensuring better protection from the ravages of the civil war in the strife-torn country, where 17 relief workers killed three months ago were today honoured by their relatives.
Special Rapporteur <br> Juan Miguel Petit

UN children rights expert gives Ukraine mixed report on a new protection model

31 October 2006
Ukraine needs to substantially revamp its approach to protecting children or face serious negative consequences for future generations, an independent United Nations children’s rights expert said in a statement after a six-day visit at the month’s end.

UN health agency launches guidelines to help combat violence against children

16 October 2006
The United Nations health agency today issued a practical guide to help governments and aid agencies prevent violence against children by following up on the recommendations made in the in-depth study on the problem by Secretary-General Kofi Annan that was launched last week.