A UN report issued in Tokyo has called for an improvement in child protection systems and promotion of social change.

The report gathers data on a wide range of issues including sexual abuse, child marriage, child trafficking, physical punishment of children, child labour, birth registration, harmful traditional practices, female genital mutilation and attitudes toward violence against women in marriage.

A report issued by UNICEF stated, although efforts have been made to reduce these violations of the child’s right, it is unknown the extent to which children are abused. Thus, “violence and exploitation remain a harsh reality.”

It further notes the difficulty in gathering accurate information about some abuses such as sexual exploitation and child trafficking, which are often committed in secrecy and illegality.

“Child labour reaps a particularly heavy toll with 150 million youngsters aged between 5 and 14 in the work force,” the report said.

Moreover, it reveals the prevalence of child marriage in some countries like Guinea with the median age rising, though still below age 18.

And the slow decline in female genital mutilation in countries where such practice is common.

It also shows that most women and even girls in developing countries like Ghana view “wife beating” as an acceptable practice while in most countries, “ neglecting the children is the most commonly cited justification for wife beating.”

Meanwhile, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director, Ms Veneman, urges that “The evidence of continuing harm and abuse must inspire the world to greater effort to guarantee the rights of all children, everywhere.”


By: Dorcas Efe Mensah/myjoyonline.com/Ghana