The UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) day is annually celebrated on 11th December to mark the creation of UNICEF by the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) on 11th December 1946. UNICEF was originally known as “United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund”.
The year 2020 marks the 74th anniversary of the foundation of UNICEF.
History of United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF):
i.The United Nations established UNICEF as “United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund” to fulfill the emergency needs of the children in post war Europe and China.
ii.The mandate of UNICEF was broadened to address the long term needs of the children and women in the developing countries and in 1953, the UNICEF became the permanent part of the UN system during which the name was shortened as “United Nations Children’s Fund” but UNICEF retained its original acronym.
Working of UNICEF:
i.UNICEF covers around 190 countries across the globe and it aims to save children’s lives, defend their rights and help them to fulfill their potential for early childhood to adolescence.
ii.UNICEF supports the child’s health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality education and skill building, HIV prevention and treatment for mothers and babies and protection of children from violence and exploitation.
iii.It is the world’s largest provider of vaccines, which works in the world’s toughest places and reaches out to the vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
World Children’s Day:
i.World Children’s day (20th November) is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children, it was first established as Universal Children’s Day.
ii.It is a part of UNICEF’s works to promote international togetherness and awareness among the children across the globe.
iii.The UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/836(IX) on 14th December 1954 and proclaimed the 20th November of every year as Universal Children’s day.
Note:
The day also marks the date on which UNGA adopted the Declaration on children’s rights in 1959 and Convention on children’s rights in 1989.
UNICEF’s “Six Point Plan to Protect our Children”:
UNICEF called out the governments to adopt the “Six Point Plan to Protect our Children” to reverse the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on children and to build a better future for all.
- Ensure all children learn, including by closing the digital divide
- Guarantee access to health and nutrition services and make vaccines affordable and available to every child
- Support and protect the mental health of children and young people and bring an end to abuse, gender-based violence, and neglect in childhood
- Increase access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene and address environmental degradation and climate change
- Reverse the rise in child poverty and ensure an inclusive recovery for all
- Redouble efforts to protect and support children and their families living through conflict, disaster and displacement
About United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF):
Executive Director– Henrietta Holsman Fore
Headquarter- New York, United States of America
