'Media can create awareness about child rights'

Rajkot, Apr 22: Media can play an important role in focussing on child rights issues and matters pertaining to their development and survival.

Mr G S Gulati, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Communications Officer in Gujarat, while addressing a Regional Media Workshop on 'Reporting on Social Sector Issues' yesterday, said media could help in creating awareness about the child rights and and play an important role in achieving the goals.

Mr Gulati said that the aim of this workshop was to create an awareness regarding these issues in the society through reporting.

The project would ensure that every child goes to school and none is exposed to various forms of vulnerability like poor health, gender discrimination, non-school attendance and high-drop rates, he said.

Mr Gulati said key areas for attention should be reduction of infant mortality, reduction of maternal mortality andmalnutrition, child care and development, complete abolition of female foeticide, female infanticide and child marriage, ensuring survival, development and protection of girl child.

He also emphasised on improving water and sanitation facilities.

He also stressed on the need for awareness among young people about HIV/AIDS.

UNI