In Montenegro, progress has been observed in reducing the number of children living in poverty and in residential institutions, as well as in increasing vaccination with the MMR vaccine, but much remains to be done in this field, the annual conference of the Government and UNICEF said.
As announced by the office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Demography and Youth Dragoslav Šćekić, the results of the implementation of the two-year Joint Program in the previous year, as well as the activities that will be implemented this year, were reviewed at the conference.
"Progress has been observed in reducing the number of children living in poverty and in residential institutions and increasing vaccination with the MMR 1 vaccine, but much remains to be done in the coming period," the announcement states.
Šćekić thanked everyone who led the activities within the implementation of the plan for last year.
As he said, the contribution of those people in the effort to ensure that all children receive quality conditions for development and a better future is immeasurable.
"I want to emphasize that we have done a lot together when it comes to improving the position of children and that we are continuously improving systems in all areas in accordance with European standards," Šćekić said.
He emphasized that they gave special importance to supporting vulnerable groups of children
"The protection of children with developmental disabilities, children affected by poverty, refugee children, Roma children, children victims of violence, abuse and neglect, and children without parental care will continue to be one of the Government's priorities," said Šćekić.
He pointed out that the work plan for this year is aligned with the Work Program of the Council for the Rights of the Child and, as he said, will contribute to the fulfillment of the recommendations of the European Commission concerning the rights of the child.
Šćekić's cabinet said that the plan will include the improvement of legal and strategic frameworks in the fields of social and child protection, education, and healthcare.
It is stated that the plan will also include strengthening professional capacity, changing attitudes and behavior through campaigns to raise citizens' awareness, introducing new and strengthening existing services, as well as improving the quality of data on children, budgetary policies concerning children, and monitoring the situation regarding the realization of children's rights. .
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