of maltreatment and abuse as well as helping victims of violence. Since 2000, more than 200,000 community members including religious leaders participated in regional and subregional seminars and training workshops. Furthermore, about 5000 elementary and middle school teachers have participated in a series of seminars and workshops. Among many others, the seminars highlighted the legal and policy dimensions of child rights and the principles of the CRC & ACRWC. Issues on the prevention and protection of children from violence, corporal punishment and HIV/AIDS were given much emphasis in the effort. 329. In order to popularize the CRC among the public, the English version of the CRC is also translated, published and widely distribute in six out of nine local languages. National, regional and sub-regional workshops were also convened to create awareness among the public as well as to create advocacy on legal and policy matters. CRC articles were also broadcasted through national media in six local languages. Community and religious leaders as well as elementary school teachers have also received training on the implementation of the CRC and ACRWC. Moreover, experts from MoLHW, MoH and NUEW conducted media panel discussions on legal and policy provisions including harmful traditional practices such as child marriage and FGM/C. The MoLHW regional offices through the Community Based Rehabilitation Volunteers (CBRV) also provide continuous public information and education on these issues. Every year, 8th December, the International Children‟s day, is also commemorated in Eritrea to reflect on all the above issues (ii) Integrated Effort to Fulfill the Rights of Children 330. As has been reflected in the institutional and legal framework, an integrated, coordinated and highly organized approach on the development of children is thus promoted at the level of both policy and strategy to implement this vision. In this vein, a holistic approach has thus been promoted and the respect, protection and fulfillment of the right of children have been advanced. Furthermore, considering the importance of proper upbringing and its relevance to viable human resource development, integrated early childhood intervention is a priority. As described earlier, the Government launched this programme in 1999, through a World Bank loan of about USD 42 million and still continues through various national initiatives and programmes. It was effectively implemented with significant success in spite of the unfavorable external threats and conditions earlier described. The World Bank also produced a video on the success of this programme under the title “One Childhood” and was taken as a novel experience of the holistic approach on integrated early childhood development. (iii) Vulnerable Children A systemic Approach to protect Orphaned Children 331. The Community Based Approach of the Government thus serves as the primary strategy for the care, protection and support of orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC). A systemic approach has thus been promoted to implement the strategy encompassing various Page 84 of 100

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