Bhopal, Nov 20 (IANS) For the first time in Madhya Pradesh, a clutch of children released the Unicef State of the World Children Report 2009 here Friday, praising the efforts of the government for their survival, care and protection but also calling for more focus.

Children like Pappi Khan, Madhu, Aashi, Shivani Sen, Aarti, and Sunil - from Bhopal and Hoshangabad - were delighted to get a platform to speak out. They called on the state and society to speak out against female foeticide, child abuse and provide quality education and care to all children.

'What's needed is a supportive environment that respects women's rights. Educating women and girls is pivotal to creating such an environment,' said one of the children.

'Most of all, saving women and children's lives requires the concerted efforts of government leaders, health specialists, civil society, communities and families', said another.

'There has been considerable progress since the Convention on the Rights of the Child was opened for signature nearly 20 years ago though the rights of millions of children are still not respected or protected,' said Manish Mathur, officer in charge of Unicef.

Twenty years after the UN adopted the treaty guaranteeing children's rights, fewer youngsters are dying and more are going to school, says Unicef's report.

-Indo-Asian News Service

ss/pg/dg