UNICEF: France needs to act to protect children and their rights
November 22, 2022, 6:40 am

UNICEF: France needs to act to protect children and their rights

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France must take steps to improve the well-being of its children and ensure greater protection of their rights, according to a UNICEF report.

The situation is particularly concerning in France's poorer areas and overseas territories, UNICEF France said in a report published to mark World Children's Day on Sunday.

"The persistence of both social and territorial inequalities-in particular poor neighborhoods … and overseas territories-prevents too many children from having access to school, health services or protection," read the report.

In French Guiana, for instance, six out of 10 children live in poverty, the report said.

It warned that children's mental health, protecting them from online dangers, impacts of climate change and pollution, and ensuring their right to participation all represent major new challenges for France.

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For example, one-third of children between the ages of 6-18 say they suffer from psychological disorders, especially the most vulnerable, and three out of four children breathe polluted air, the report said.

"The current context of accumulation of crises (aftermath of the pandemic, energy crisis, environmental crisis, etc.) has serious repercussions on children and adolescents, in France and around the world," said Adeline Hazan, head of UNICEF France.

"However, it is the most vulnerable children, whether in a situation of extreme poverty, migration, disability, often voiceless, who are generally the hardest hit. It is for this reason that special vigilance and support must be given to them," she added.

Source: anews

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”