UNICEF: attention for children in Thailand

UNICEF Thailand made a 60-second television spot to draw attention to the plight of large groups of children in Thailand.

The commercial has the message: “Some children's voices you will never hear”. The video aims to raise public awareness about issues such as poverty, malnutrition, lack of education, illegality, neglect and abuse of children.

UNICEF wants to achieve that the general public pays more attention to the promotion and protection of the rights of children.

Some figures to illustrate the need:

• Each year, more than 40.000 children are not registered at birth. As a result, they may be excluded from the right to health care and education. This makes these children more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
• Only 5 percent of the 800.000 children born each year are breastfed during the first six months. This is the lowest percentage in Asia and one of the lowest in the world. Breast milk is the best food for infants and gives the best chance of a healthy start in life.
• About 900.000 children of primary school age do not attend school or drop out.
• According to a study by Ramadhibodi Hospital in 2002, the average IQ of Thai children was 88, which is lower than the WHO recommended average IQ of 90-110. The drop in IQ value is related to an iodine deficiency. A UNICEF-funded study shows that only 58 percent of Thai households get enough iodine. Even 70 percent of pregnant women in Thailand did not get enough dietary iodine.
• Thousands of children are employed in Thailand every year. These include dangerous work, hard physical work, domestic slavery, begging and the sex industry. Many children are also used from Thailand for dangerous and unhealthy work in other countries, such as Malaysia.
• In 2008, nearly 27.000 women and children were treated in regional hospitals for injuries, the majority of which were treated for sexual abuse.
• Each year, some 6.500 children are at risk of being born with HIV. Currently, 23.000 children are infected with the virus, many of whom suffer from poor health, stigma and discrimination.

The video shows a number of children in threatening situations. Although the children ask for help, their voices are not heard. This puts children at serious risk. A situation that deserves the attention of the general public.

Open your heart to children. Listen to them.