MOGADISHU, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The UN children's fund (UNICEF) on Monday called for action in order to realize the rights of all Somali children.
UNICEF said in a report released in Mogadishu that the situation of children is improving, with more children surviving, being vaccinated and going to school, and increasing numbers of families having access to health care and clean water and sanitation.
The report consisted of comprehensive data and analysis on the state of Somali children, as well as recommendations crucial to support UNICEF's work of fulfilling the rights of all Somali children.
It took note of the positive trends in child survival and development, such as the declines in child mortality, maternal mortality and malaria; the increase in immunization coverage and birth registration; and the country's success in containing the most recent polio outbreak.
The report, however, said much remained to be done as Somali children and their mothers continued to suffer from multiple deprivations.
"The future of most girls in Somalia can be described as very bleak. Our laws may give them rights and guarantee equality to a certain point, but in practice we all know that their rights are often violated, whether incidental or systematic," said Zahra Samatar, Somalia Minister of Women and Human Rights Development.
"As Somalia has now developed its first ever National Development Plan in 30 years, it is a clear opportunity for women and girls to be included in a more sustainable way in our development agenda," Samatar added.
According to the report, other challenges are such as one in seven children dies before reaching age five, and over 300,000 children under the age of five are acutely malnourished.
Every three hours, a woman dies from pregnancy-related complications, said the report which also added that more than half of children are out of school with girls' participation considerably lower than that of boys.
At 98 percent, Somalia has the highest rate of female genital mutilation in the world, the report said.
