“An Inclusive world starts with me, with you, with us…”
Campaign launched to promote positive attitudes towards children with special needs
The campaign “An inclusive world starts with me, with you, with us...”, launched in co-operation with Prietena Mea NGO, encourages positive attitudes towards children with special needs and promotes a better understanding of disabilities.
During the event, Government Spokesman Daniel Vodă, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist Traian Ţurcanu and social activist Ghenadie Borcan spoke about fatherhood and the complexity of the challenges a father faces in the process of raising and educating a child.
Discussion topics included the differences and evolution of fatherhood and the role of emotions, with speakers emphasizing the importance of being aware of one’s own emotions and the need to discuss them with partners. A separate part of the conversations focused on the importance of a healthy partnership in which communication and learning are central. Thus, the parents shared the view that learning is a two-way process, both from child to adult and vice versa.
Ghenadie Borcan spoke about how, thanks to his daughter, he realized that every child should be perceived and accepted as he or she is, without putting certain labels on them. Traian Țurcanu stressed the importance of addressing with children sensitive topics, such as diversity, giving an example from a discussion with his daughter.
Daniel Vodă gave some useful tips on how to turn learning into play, and the meeting culminated with a reading of his daughter’s favorite book, “Lama, Lama”.
International research shows that fathers’ active involvement in parenting improves family relationships, boosts children’s self-confidence and helps them achieve more. Children who receive more attention from their fathers do better in school and have better life skills. Active parental involvement, inclusion and diversity are a vital component of a healthy and better society that can be enjoyed by all its members.
“There are about 10,700 children with disabilities in the Republic of Moldova. Unfortunately, the stigma and discrimination they face often make it impossible for them to access various services (education, health care, child protection, etc.), affect their self-esteem and chances to participate in decision-making, interact with others and may put them at greater risk of abuse and exploitation.
Parents and carers are therefore a central resource in providing care, support and education. The whole society should support children with disabilities and their parents and realise that a healthy society is an inclusive society,” says Maha Damaj, UNICEF Country Representative in Moldova.
During the event, children made Christmas decorations in a workshop and fathers read from their children’s favorite books.
This campaign is part of the project “abilitare.md: an inclusive world starts with me, with you, with us...”, which envisages the creation of the first platform in Moldova that will help empower, support and encourage parents and carers of children with special needs.
The abilitare.md platform will provide specialized support materials such as articles, guides, tutorials, educational resources on different types of disabilities, treatments, therapies and education options. The abilitare.md platform will also create support groups for mothers and fathers from different regions of Moldova to conduct advocacy activities in their communities. The platform will also serve as a discussion forum where parents can socialize, share experiences and advice, thereby networking with other parents who have children with similar special needs.
The project is implemented by UNICEF in partnership with the Prietena Mea NGO, with financial support from KFW.
