Say Yes, Autumn 2004: Editorial
The UNICEF Representative in Turkey, Edmond McLoughney, with school boys and girls on Opening Day at 2002 Vakıflar Primary School, Şanlıurfa, September 2004.
Photograph Sema Hosta © UNICEF Turkey 2004
This autumn has seen two major programmes in the areas of education and health shift up a gear.
The Ministry of National Education (MONE) and UNICEF’s campaign to increase enrolment rates for girls in primary education by the end of 2005 has entered the second year. The original focus of Haydi Kızlar Okula! has expanded to include a further twenty-three provinces with the lowest enrolment rates. With only a year to go before the goal of closing the gender gap in basic education is achieved, a team of colleagues from MONE and UNICEF, including myself, visited many of the target provinces as preparations for the new school year were underway. It was quite an experience to see so many individuals and agencies -- from families in the remotest communities right up to the Prime Minister and his wife -- getting involved in the drive to enroll all Turkey’s girls in school.
With the support of UNICEF, the Ministry of Heath (MOH) is working hard to eliminate measles in Turkey -- the largest campaign of its kind ever seen in Europe. Last year, virtually all school children were immunised and this year, the MOH launched a fortnight of Measles Immunisation Days to immunise all infants and children who are out-of-school.
From the evidence of recent months, it would seem that in saying Yes!
for children two years ago, Turkey really meant YES!
Edmond McLoughney
UNICEF Representative, Turkey
PS: We’d very much like to hear readers reactions to this issue, so please feel free to contact us with your comments and suggestions.
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SAY YES, AUTUMN 2004
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