First Lady launches child-friendly CEDAW booklet

First Lady Fazna Ahmed has launched a child-friendly booklet on the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

First Lady Fazna launched the booklet through a video on Facebook Live held by Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) in partnership with UNICEF, to mark International Day of the Girl Child 2020.

The child friendly CEDAW booklet conveys information on all the rights guaranteed by the Convention, as well as the State responsibilities to fulfil these rights.

ARC said that it believes that one of the most important steps in preventing discrimination against women and girls is by teaching young children their rights, including the right to education, employment, health, marriage and family life.

Speaking at the event, Fazna highlighted the complementary nature of CEDAW and the Convention on the Rights of Child (CRC), and emphasized the importance of educating both boys and girls on the Conventions to ensure the fundamental rights of children of all ages.

ARC’s Executive Director, Zeena Zahid stated that providing equal opportunities for girls and boys will not only benefit them, but will also benefit their families, the society and the nation as well.

In his remarks, UNICEF Country Representative Dr. Munir Safieldin expressed that CEDAW furnishes the ground for girls’ realization of their rights and aspirations and further highlighted the theme of this year, ‘My voice, our equal future’.

While ARC expressed gratitude to First Lady Fazna Ahmed and UNICEF for their support, they also reaffirmed their commitment to protect and promote the rights of children throughout the country.