The International Children’s Day in Cuba comes a real celebration bearing in mind that the overall situation is not supporting but jeopardizing and hindering any project helping people to survive. However, childhood is a protected social area in Cuba, classified a top priority in the social development in the island.
Cuba has enough substance to celebrate the International Children’s Day as it exhibits one of the best results in taking care of children with an inclusive program comprising free education and medical care, both under a step-by-step supervision.
Regarding medical care, according to UNICEF, in 2022, approximately 80% of children under one year of age in Cuba were immunized against measles, mumps and rubella through the acquisition of 88,000 doses of the MMR vaccine (not produced in the country), guaranteed by UNICEF Cuba, with the support of the Gran Canaria City Council and the accompaniment of the Spanish Committee for UNICEF.
Cuba has a free and universal Expanded Immunization Program (PAI), which administers 13 vaccines and exceeds 98% coverage throughout the country. Among its most relevant results is the elimination of diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, poliomyelitis and pertussis; while other diseases, such as tetanus and meningococcal disease, are not a public health problem due to their low incidence levels.
In education, Cuba has assured that every child is included in any of the programs developed through day-care centers, Educate You Child, and the pre-schools, so that coming from any of those sources children are able to cope with the primary school teaching, paving the way for further studies.
The Cuban government, through its entire social and political framework along the country, is responsible for early children development focusing the issue with a holistic outlook.
Children are protected against violence
Hence, another program component addresses the quality of prevention and protection services to face up all kinds of violence against children and adolescents, especially those groups exposed to greater and more complex vulnerabilities, including those who have committed acts typified as crimes by the law and those with aggravated social behaviors, as well as crime victims and witnesses.
Cuba has legal, political and programmatic instruments aimed at children’s well-being. However, there are still challenges like poor knowledge about the rights of children and adolescents, as well as about the numerous forms and consequences of violence, including gender violence and digital scenarios.
So, Cuba has enough reasons to celebrate the International Children’s Day, established by the UN in 1950 to call for children’s protection.
Related article
For the universe of dreams and fantasies
