President, PM issue messages for World Children's Day on Monday

With the commencement of Children's Rights Week, World Children's Day 2023 will be observed in Bangladesh on Monday.

The country celebrates World Children's Day every year on the first Monday of October.

At the same time, Children's Rights Week will be observed from Monday to October 8.

The theme of this year's day is “Investing in our future means investing in our children”.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday greeted the children on the occasion of World Children's Day and Children Right Week 2023, saying that today's children will lead to building a developed and prosperous Smart Bangladesh in 2041.

The president, in his message, said children are the backbone of building a nation as well as the architect of establishing a beautiful future so there is no alternative to ensuring health, nutrition, education, safety and healthy recreation for the mental and cultural development of children.

"If today's children grow up with knowledge and progressive thinking, we will have a beautiful and peaceful world in the days to come," the head of the state added.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman formulated the Children Act in the country in 1974 in order to ensure children's rights.

She said Bangladesh is one of the signatory countries of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) or the UN Children's Rights Charter.

Highlighting comprehensive measures taken by the ruling Awami League government to ensure the health, education, recreation, and welfare of the children, the premier said the government has formulated the National Child Policy 2011, Children Act 2013 and the Child Marriage Prevention Act 2017.

Besides, national and international children's day celebrations, rehabilitation of underprivileged children, and development programs for children are being implemented, she added.

"The Awami League-led government has taken all necessary steps for the welfare of children and to prepare them to face the challenges of the future. We are working tirelessly to ensure children's health, education, and entertainment," she continued.

Both the president and the premier wished for the success of all the programs taken to mark the day and the week.

Source: UNB