Special Feature: World Day of Prayer and Action for Children 2009
The Day of Prayer and Action for Children urges people of religion and goodwill to join forces and improve the lives of children in their own community. Prayer, worship and meditation services will lead to a specific and measurable action at the community, national or regional level. Depending on local circumstances, different forms of partnership will take place. We call on Religious leaders in every country and community to work within a spirit of inter-faith cooperation along with respected local, national or international organizations dedicated to the cause of children.
Specific activities could include:
ADVOCACY
Call on your local religious communities to advocate with others for:
- Better equipped local health services and professionals to improve maternal health
- Policies and programs to increase the enrolment rate of primary school children
- Packages of health interventions for children and mothers to reduce child deaths. (e.g. immunization, vitamin A, breastfeeding, insecticide treated mosquito nets and growth monitoring)
Organize communities to:
- Create community mapping exercises to identify accessible and safe hospitals and health centers for pregnant women in the event of an emergency
- Support birth registration campaigns to ensure that children will be able to get immunized, go to school and obtain access to other community services
- Inform parents and young people of the harmful effects of early marriage and how it may be prevented
- Promote the “Child Friendly Schools” framework to improve the quality of education for children
How can you join the effort?
