The State of the World’s Children Report was launched today by Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen at the Lingkana palace. Globally, it was launched on May 30. The report themed child with disabilities focuses on the situation of the children with special needs worldwide.
After the launch, an event was held at clock tower square, which was graced by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Tshering Pem Wangchuck, and Princess Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck.
One of the main findings of the report points out that children with special needs are too often invisible in policies and in societies. It also says that children with special needs often don’t have equal educational opportunities like the other children.
“Stigma, ignorance, misperception, heighten discrimination against children with disabilities. Their abilities are underestimated often on multiple levels. They are excluded because it is assumed that they can’t keep up whether intellectually or physically,” said the Representative of UNICEF to Bhutan, Shaheen Nilofer. She added that in some cultures people believe that children with disabilities bring bad luck. “Ladies and gentlemen no child should be defined by their disability.”
The Education Minister, Mingbo Dukpa, said the Ministry accords highest priority to providing equal opportunities to children of all abilities and background. “The Ministry is committed to ensuring access to inclusive education so that our children with disabilities not only be able to lead a dignified life but also be able to participate and contribute to nation-building process.”
With this year’s report, the UNICEF also hopes to add a strong voice on the necessity and increasingly urgent debate about disability rights, especially those of children.
