UNICEF Day 2023

Today is UNICEF Day. 77 years ago, UNICEF was established with a mandate to protect the rights and well-being of all children, whoever they are, and wherever they are.

In the Maldives, UNICEF has been working with the Government, partners, children, young people, and communities for over four decades. This partnership has contributed to the success story of Maldives. Today, the country has one of the lowest poverty rates in South Asia; nearly all children are enrolled in primary education; and childhood immunization coverage is universal. UNICEF is proud of this partnership, and the contributions it continues to make in Maldives.  

Yet, Maldives still has unfinished business on child rights and development. Pockets of vulnerability still remain in the country. Violence against children is still too high, with over 1000 cases reported between January and October this year. Children are facing the triple burden of malnutrition, and up to 30% of young people are not in education, employment, or training.

On this UNICEF Day and every day, UNICEF Maldives calls on Government and all partners to join us to address the unfinished business, and place children at the center of their work. The UNICEF team commits to scale up investments and efforts to reach the most vulnerable across Maldives from Haa Alif Thuraakunu to Addu City, to build child-friendly, resilient islands for all children and young people.

UNICEF Maldives remains concerned that crises after crises including wars, economic turmoil and climate change, are robbing children of their lives and future. We take this opportunity to once again call on World Leaders to end the war in Gaza and uphold the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) to ensure peace, safety, and an equal opportunity for every child, everywhere.

We also pay tribute to our colleagues serving in extremely difficult conditions.