International Children's Day celebrated in Belarus
International Children's Day is annually celebrated on June 1st in more than 30 countries around the world – reminding adults of the need to respect children’s rights to life, freedom of opinion and religion, education, recreation and leisure
International Children's Day was officially celebrated for the first time in 1950 and, in 1959, the UN adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Its articles called on parents, state bodies, local authorities, governments and non-governmental organisations to recognise the outlined rights and freedoms of children and strive to respect them. On November 20th, 1989, the UN adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The issues of improving well-being of children and families with children are among the priorities of Belarus’ state social policy. The country’s child population account for 20 percent of all residents: more than 1 million 847 thousand boys and girls live in Belarus. According to the Labour and Social Protection Ministry, every fifth child is brought up in family with three and more children.
The law On the Rights of the Child – adopted in 1993 – is in force in Belarus. All fundamental rights are enshrined in this document and are implemented in other regulatory legal acts that enable state agencies to take measures to protect the rights of children.
In addition, the law On Guarantees of Social Protection for Orphans, Children Left without Parental Care, and Persons from Among Orphans and Children Left without Parental Care was adopted in the country in 2005.
A 2021-2025 state programme is in force in Belarus: People's Health and Demographic Security. It is aimed at improving support for families with children, improving their living conditions, strengthening the institution of the family, developing measures to strengthen reproductive health, and forming a healthy lifestyle culture.
The Education and Youth Policy state programme is also running until 2025 in the country.
