UNICEF partners with the National TV to mark the International Child Protection Day 2021 in Turkmenistan

In the first show children interviewed UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan Christine Weigand, and Ombudsperson of Turkmenistan Yazdursun Gurbannazarova, enquiring about the importance of this day and about the rights of children in their country and abroad.

During the show, young interviewers Merdan Chyryev and Sofiya Orazova got a chance to represent their peers and allow the TV audience to widen their knowledge. UNICEF and Ombudsperson talked about their work, as well as about the important aspects concerning children’s lives. This year for UNICEF is especially significant as the organization marks 75 years of its existence.

“UNICEF works for children around the world and in Turkmenistan, to make sure they get what is best for them and what allows them to develop to their full potential. We believe that every child has the right to grow up in a safe environment, and to feel respected and protected,” answered Christine Weigand to one of the young interviewers Merdan on the work of UNICEF in Turkmenistan.

This media opportunity highlighted the importance of the work of Ombudsperson in the area of child rights, specifically in the International Year of Peace and Trust. The organizers hope that many children in Turkmenistan will be interested to watch this special TV show, in which children took over the leading role, as a part of the big 1 June celebration.

The second TV show was conducted at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. During the show, UNICEF Representative Christine Weigand and Deputy Rector of the Institute Gulshat Geldiyeva discussed the issues of child rights, UNICEF’s 75th anniversary, and future plans of cooperation. Since this year 1 June happens within the global pandemic, participants of the show also talked about UNICEF’s work on addressing the “infodemic” accompanying the health crisis and how this issue affects children in particular.

“On this International Child Protection Day, I would like to congratulate all children and their families. I hope the strong partnership we have with the Government of Turkmenistan will continue and grow, contributing to the wellbeing of all children and youth in Turkmenistan,” said UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan Christine Weigand in the TV show.