On the occasion of 1 June, Children’s Day in Albania, over 200 representatives of civil society organizations marched under the slogan: Health, Protection and Education for Children! Time to take responsibility!
1 June 2017 – On Children’s Day, for the first time in Albania’s modern history, organisations and children’s rights activists marched today along the Boulevard “Dëshmorët e Kombit” under the motto: ACT! Health, Education and Protection for children in Albania! Time to take responsibility! The march corresponds with the start of the campaign for the next parliamentary elections.
More than 200 activists and over 30 civil society organizations held banners dedicated to the main concerns that children have in Albania. During the march, organizations and activists stood in front of the Presidency, the Parliament, the Government and the Municipality of Tirana, where they symbolically submitted to officials of each institution a letter with the demands of civil society to improve the situation of children’s rights.
1 June is celebrated in Albania as the International Children’s Day. It is considered not only as a holiday for children, but also a day of advocacy and awareness on issues related to children.
Despite the promises and work of the Government and the Parliament during the last four years, much remains to be done for child rights in Albania. Data collection and reporting mechanisms on child protection, coordination, cross-sectoral and inter-institutional cooperation, as well as child protection services need further improvement. Lack of proper planning, budgeting, lack of education and reintegration programs in the community puts at risk many children and young people. Other groups of children, such as minorities children, children with disability, girls and children living in rural areas, face particular challenges in accessing local services.
