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| According to National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Thi Viet Nga, there are still pressing issues related to the implementation of children's rights. (Photo: Provided by the interviewee) |
From your perspective, what is the current level of awareness regarding the protection of children's rights in our country?
Vietnam was the first country in Asia and the second in the world to ratify the International Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990. To date, the protection of children's rights in the community has yielded many positive results.
The positive impact stems primarily from an increasingly完善 system of policies and laws, with many outstanding provisions regarding the care, protection, and education of children, notably in laws such as: the Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence (amended); and the Film Law with many new points.
In addition, the guidance, management, and resolution efforts of the Government , central and local ministries and agencies have been very timely, especially the measures to protect and support orphaned children affected by the Covid-19 pandemic; mental health care for children, prevention of violence and abuse, and prevention of accidents and injuries to children…
However, pressing issues remain. Child abuse continues to be extremely complex. There have been heartbreaking cases reported in the media, causing public outrage.
Alarmingly, there are still cases of child abuse, even the deprivation of life by family members, a high number of child drownings each year, and a lack of playgrounds for children. Children in remote, disadvantaged areas still suffer many disadvantages both materially and mentally, and the number of abandoned children remains high.
So, what challenges are being faced in ensuring children's rights in Vietnam?
Firstly , there is still an inadequate understanding of children's rights among a segment of the population. Within the community, there are still misunderstandings, and in some cases, people are completely unaware of this concept, which is a significant obstacle to the implementation, protection, and care of children's rights.
Secondly, the budget allocated to child-related work is insufficient compared to actual needs. The organizational structure and human resources for state management of child-related issues at all levels, especially at the grassroots level, are lacking in both quantity and depth in terms of quality and expertise.
Thirdly, along with the development of society comes the emergence of many potential problems that pose risks to children. For example, the information environment and social media contain many elements that are harmful to their innocent minds.
Fourth , with the fast-paced, modern lifestyle, especially in large cities, parents and relatives have less time to pay attention to the spiritual lives of children, even though material living standards are constantly improving, affecting the holistic development of children.
As a Member of Parliament, what are your feelings about the current situation of child abuse in schools and the exploitation of child labor?
When discussing school violence, let's not immediately blame the children. There's an old saying, "Human nature is inherently good." If children use violence against each other, does that reflect their environment and the lessons they've learned from adults?
Do parents know what their children read and watch online every day? Do parents understand the stages of their children's psychological and physical development, including periods of rebellion and crisis? Without companionship, someone to confide in, share with, and guide them, children can easily go astray. Do parents consider how their daily words, actions, and behavior—more broadly, their social interactions—are influencing their children? These things, though subtle, have an incredibly powerful impact on the formation of a child's character, more so than any theoretical teaching.
Do teachers truly understand and awaken the potential of their students? Have adults created a healthy and safe environment for children? Seeing children who haven't even reached school age yet, ready to use violence against each other, I believe the primary fault lies with the adults.
That's not even counting cases of child labor exploitation. It's not uncommon for very young children to be forced onto the streets by their own relatives to earn a living, selling goods, lottery tickets, or even begging...
Many small-scale production and business establishments still employ underage workers, subjecting them to heavy workloads and meager wages. All of this violates laws on children's rights and contradicts the nation's efforts to implement international conventions on the rights of children.
Her recommendations aim to create a stronger legal framework and better protect children's rights.
In my opinion, institutionally, we need to continue reviewing, researching, amending, supplementing, and perfecting policies and laws to fully and effectively implement children's rights.
The Government's 2022 report to the National Assembly outlines solutions for 2023 to ensure the realization of children's rights, including proposals to study and develop a Law on Juvenile Justice, a Law on Lifelong Learning, and a Law on Teachers. I wholeheartedly agree with these proposals because these laws all contain content closely related to the realization of children's rights.
Furthermore, the dissemination and promotion of laws on children and children's rights need to be given more attention and strengthened. Inter-sectoral coordination and guidance must be enhanced to achieve more positive results.
And what about the issue of citizens' awareness and responsibility in protecting children's rights, Madam?
Individual awareness is closely related to the dissemination and popularization of laws. On the other hand, parents need to be more proactive in learning about legal regulations and understanding the thoughts and aspirations of their children.
Ultimately, I believe that to best uphold children's rights, parents should first provide them with a true family home, ensuring they have both material comforts and receive care, love, and grow up in a truly cultured, civilized, and healthy environment.
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