Religious leaders are seen playing a crucial role in promoting and enhancing the well-being of children across the world. 45 Religious leaders of various faiths from eight countries were in Paro at the second South Asia Religious Leaders’ Platform for Children recently discussing the role in advancing children’s right in South Asia Region.
South Asia Region is home to more than 600 million children. Many children of this region are subjected to violence, abuse, discrimination, exploitation and neglect. And many others are still without health care services, education and food.
“Here, there are many challenges and one of those are making sure that all children stay in school and learn and I think this is something that we need to work in all the countries in the region. And the other issue is ensuring that early childhood education and 1000 days of a child’s life are given the attention it deserves,” said Jean Gough, the South Asian Regional Director for UNICEF.
Religious institutions and faith-based organisations are mostly placed to reach the vulnerable children and since religious leaders are often highly influential in communities, The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said they have the capacity to make people take action for children.
Over decades, the religious institutions have helped protect children and safeguard their rights and during the two-day meeting, they came together to identify gaps in the implementation of the Convention of the Rights of the Child. The leaders also looked into contributions to enhance the right to health care and education, as well as making sure that children live in a clean and safe environment.
“We want religious leaders of all countries to come up with action plan with that they want to do and I think they could agree on two to three actions that they will go back and try to implement in their communities in terms of health, education and protection of children against violence and exploitation. So we are looking forward to hearing from them. Without religious leaders, we cannot reach each and every community but with them, their voice is more powerful than ours,” the Regional Director added.
For Bhutan, promotion of adolescent health, nutrition and hygiene practices at the community and monastic institutions are some of the current priorities.
This is the second South Asia Religious Leaders’ Platform for Children. The two-day meeting is hosted by the Government of Bhutan with support from UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia and UNICEF Bhutan
Sangay Chezom
