UNICEF report: See the child before the disability
(Vatican Radio) See the child before the disability. That’s what the UN Children’s
charity UNICEF is urging people to do in its new report published on Thursday. The
flagship document entitled: The State of the World’s Children 2013: Children with
disabilities, highlights the contributions young people with disabilities can make
if allowed flourish and achieve their goals. Abid Aslam is the Editor of the UNICEF
report. “They have dreams they have the dreams to fulfill those dreams and as we’ve
shown in the report, given a fair chance contribute to the vitality of their families
and their communities.” But the findings also show that children with disabilities
are often the most marginalized and they are among the most at risk of abuse and neglect,
especially if they are institutionalized . Also noted is the fact that girls fare
worse than boys and are less likely to receive food and care. So what can be done
to make the lives of these children better? According the UNICEF, summoning political
will is crucial. So far only a third of all nations have ratified and implemented
the Convention on the Rights of Children with Disabilities. The report recommends
that all nations make a commitment to doing this. In order to fight discrimination
that prevents children from reaching their full potential the document urges everyone
from governments and the private sector to communities to play their part. Listen
to Lydia O’Kane’s report