Child rights’ rainbow colours young children of Turkmenistan
 Ashgabat, 26 August 2011 – The State Puppet Theatre is completing its nationwide tour with a performance for children "The Childhood Rainbow". The final show will be performed in Ashgabat today. The initiative, organized by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the State Puppet Theatre under the Ministry of Culture and TV and Radio Broadcasting of Turkmenistan, was organized as a present to the children of Turkmenistan to celebrate childhood on the occasion of the UNICEF’s 65th anniversary and Turkmenistan’s 20th anniversary of Independence.
Under this initiative, an artistic troupe of the State Puppet Theatre travelled to all five velayats in the month of August and also visited institutions that serve children with disabilities. It is estimated that they reached more than 10,000 children.
The "Childhood Rainbow" puppet performance was developed to highlight child rights, promote equity, diversity and children’s participation, and also to stimulate early childhood development. The symbolism of the rainbow that was put into the essence of the show signifies the diversity and richness of the childhood, which ranges from learning the wealth of life skills, feelings and responsive attitudes by young children to developing an understanding and respect to human dignity, including of persons with disabilities.
The performance is designed with considerations of cultural, developmental and emotional relevance to young children. An interactivity mode of the show not only enables a dialogue with young audiences but also creates an atmosphere for children to dance, sing, count rhymes and become genuine participants in the story. Children, their families and caregivers enthusiastically welcomed the performance, enjoyed the colourful costumes of the characters, and got inspired with the spirit of equity, diversity and inclusiveness. The event received a wide coverage in print and broadcast media.
A signatory to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Turkmenistan has committed to the advancement of rights of people with disabilities. UNICEF actively supports the Government of Turkmenistan in promoting the rights of children with disabilities through review of legislation, capacity development, and communication interventions. A critical aspect of the CRPD promotion is advocacy and awareness-raising of the Convention, which will contribute to the promotion of a social model of disability and facilitate a supportive environment that ensures equal opportunities for children with disabilities building on the existing provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
For more information please contact:
Ms. Gulyalek Soltanova
UNICEF Communication Officer
Email:
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Ms. Ayna Seyitlieva
UNICEF Communication for Development Officer
Phone: +99312 425681/82/85/86
Fax: +99312 425779
Email:
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Web: http://www.unicef.org/turkmenistan |
