NICOSIA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus President Demetris Christofias said on Friday that social changes in recent years have affected many children's welfare, resulting in anti-social behavior, violence and the use of narcotic substances.

    "The institution of the traditional Cyprus family of two parents and their children has not remained untouched," he told a gathering organized by the Commissioner for Children's Rights to mark the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

    This change, he said, resulted in children living with only one parent or with people who are not their biological parents.

    He added that this fact, combined with a situation in which both parents have to work outside the house, has resulted in more children leaving school prematurely, getting poor education and training and obtaining low-paying jobs.

    President Christofias said this situation imposes on the state and its social partners a duty to safeguard the children's rights and this is the aim of the government's National Strategy of Social Integration.

    "However, full restoration of the children's rights in our country is dependent upon solving the Cyprus problem, so as to rid children of the underlying feeling of uncertainty and insecurity," Christofias said in a reference to the long-standing division of Cyprus since 1974.

    Commissioner for Children's Rights Leda Koursoumba said her strategy is to involve children in preparing projects aimed at promoting awareness on children's rights.

    She added the situation has improved since she took office a year ago, but still about half the Cyprus population, including children, are not aware that children are not the possession of their parents.

    Children at the event were given awards for their participation in a drawing and poem-writing competition on children's rights.