~ CHILDREN'S RIGHTS ~

[HOUDA-K]

Rabat discusses national action plan for childhood

By Houda Filali-Ansary

Officials and civil society members are gathering on Friday in Rabat to discuss Morocco's national action plan for childhood, in accordance with the UN directives for the creation of “a world fit for children.”



The meeting mainly aimed at applying the UN directives relative to the situation of children mentioned in the UN document entitled “A world fit for children,” produced following the May 2002 United Nation General Assembly Special Session on children.

At that assembly, several governments had pledged to work at improving children's living conditions and had given their approval to a declaration of principles and purposes as well as a world action plan centred on health issues (reducing children's mortality and giving them better access to healthcare), access to education, eliminating gender disparities, protection against abuse, exploitation or violence and preserve them from AIDS.

Morocco's national plan was launched in June 2004, following the United Nations' advice, with the organisation a number of workshops with the participation of concerned associations.

Morocco has been among the nine IOF countries which have succeeded in reducing mortality rates in children aged under five by more than half. However, many improvements are still needed in several fields, especially concerning children living in rural areas, especially little girls and children born outside wedlock.