site.btaChange of Attitudes Towards Children Achieved in 15 Years - Minister

Change of Attitudes Towards Children Achieved in 15 Years - Minister

Sofia, January 29 (BTA) - A change of the attitudes towards children has been achieved in the past 15 years: they are no longer considered as an object to decisions but as holders of rights, Deputy Prime Minister and Social Minister Ivailo Kalfin said here on Friday. He spoke at a conference entitled "The Child - National Priority", organized by the State Agency for Child Protection (SACP) to mark its 15th anniversary.

Kalfin pointed out that now the efforts will be focused on the care for disabled children living with their families, the early child development and the prevention of early dropout from school. The early socialization of children with a tendency to marginalization is also important, said the Minister.

Ombudsman Maya Manolova said that protection of children's rights will be a priority for the Ombudsman in 2016. She voiced concern with the increasing poverty in the Bulgarian society, which, as she put it, affects most adversely the children.

SACP Chairperson Eva Zhecheva said that children in welfare establishments were 12,609 in 2001, while last year their number was only 1,530.

UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria Maria Jesus Conde said that the programme on cooperation between UNICEF and the Government is oriented towards the elaboration of innovative practices for the most vulnerable groups, as priority will be given to the regions of Shoumen, Sliven and Montana, where social stratification and inequality are most tangible.

According to Conde, Bulgaria is the only EU member state, which does not have a special law on child justice conforming to EU standards, and urged the country to adopt such.