Dr. Muhammad Mahtab Hossain Mazed

Today, Monday, November 20, International Children's Fund (UNICEF) is 'World Children's Day 2023'. On November 20, 1989, world leaders implemented the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the history of the world. Children's Day is celebrated on different dates in different countries. In our country since 1996 the birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is celebrated as Children's Day. And the first Monday of October is World Children's Day.

Internationally, June 1st is Children's Day. And Universal Children's Day is November 20. UNICEF celebrates World Children's Day for and with children worldwide in light of the Charter of Rights of the Child. On this day, UNICEF mobilizes support to solve children's biggest problems, raises awareness about children's rights and raises the necessary funds. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure that every child in the world can live a minimum life. For this, children should be given opportunities in various fields. Even in state important work. As the child will understand about his own ability, his sense of responsibility towards the society will also be created. This allows children to position themselves in a stronger position, for themselves and for other children.

Children are the most helpless among mankind. Children have to depend on adults to grow up. But sadly, it is true that children are the most affected by any disaster in the world. Whether the disaster is natural or man-made. On top of that there is lack of responsibility of adults towards children in many cases, lack of proper attention and proper care.

In third world countries the neglect of children is a bit more. And it goes without saying that the irreparable damage that children suffer during war, their physical and mental development is guided in the wrong direction.

Many have made the need to create a sense of responsibility towards children. But because the feeling of the need of the child for the country and the nation is not quantifiable, it was not given much thought once upon a time. But times have changed.

Adults understand and know that today's children are tomorrow's future. Just as a plant does not bear fruit immediately, just as a plant needs to be nurtured and raised with great care for sweet fruit and fragrant flowers, so children also need care. Children's Day was born out of this importance of caring for children.

Dr. first understood the importance of the birth of Children's Day on paper. Charles Leonardo in 1857. At that time, he was the pastor of the Universal Church in Chelsea, Massachusetts, USA. He designated the second Sunday of June as a special day for the care of children.

Leonardo named the day Rose Day. The day later became known as Flower Sunday or Flower Sunday. After that the day is called as Children's Day.

Turkey is credited with officially celebrating the first Children's Day. Since 1920, April 23 was celebrated as Children's Day in Turkey. Although it was not in any state declaration. The father of the Turkish nation, Kemal Atatürk, announced the observance of Children's Day as a national day in 1929.

International Children's Day was announced in 1925 at the World Conference in Geneva.

On November 4, 1949, the International Conference of the Women's International Democratic Federation held in Moscow, Russia announced the establishment of June 1 as World Children's Day. Since 1950, many communist and communist countries started celebrating Children's Day from June 1.

On December 14, 1954, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution initiated by India and Uruguay to encourage all countries of the world to celebrate Children's Day. However, the observance of this Children's Day was firstly to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and secondly to adopt the ideals of the United Nations Charter and take action for the welfare of the world's children.

The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child was adopted on 20 November 1959. It was decided to celebrate World Children's Day from November 20. Since then, different countries around the world celebrate Children's Day on different dates. Children's Day in Bangladesh is celebrated on March 17, the birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. However, the importance of November 20 as the Declaration of Children's Rights Day is immense. Because through this declaration, the awareness of creating children's rights started around the world. Accordingly, today 20 November is World Children's Day.

More than 40 percent of the total population of Bangladesh are children. Among them more than 15 percent children are poor. And because of the closure of schools due to the epidemic, it has affected more than 37 million children.

On the other hand, according to World Vision's survey, 91 percent of the world's children and youth are under stress and anxiety due to the coronavirus infection. Our children are not out of this situation. According to a UNICEF study, the rate of teenage marriage in Bangladesh has increased by 13 percent since the 2020 pandemic.
According to the data of the Public Health Nutrition Institute under the Department of Health, the number of severely malnourished children admitted to the country's hospitals last year was almost double compared to the previous year. In 2021, 11 thousand 313 children suffering from SAM were admitted. Whereas the previous year in 2020 this number was 6 thousand 570.

Malnutrition is seen as one of the biggest barriers to physical and mental development of children. Experts say that child malnutrition is still a serious public health problem in the country. Bangladesh still tops the list in terms of the number of severely malnourished children worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), severe acute malnutrition is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children under the age of five. Around 20 million children are severely malnourished worldwide. And about 1 million children died. Most of these children are residents of South Asian countries.

Children are the most affected by the pandemic. Child abuse, child labor, child marriage, malnutrition have increased during the pandemic. That is why it is important to pay attention to child rights and protection from everyone's position. In addition to this, it is also important to develop children's creativity in a joyful environment by ensuring equal opportunities for all as per the constitutional commitment to science and technology oriented education.

Who will do this important work of creating awareness for children? In short, everyone in society. Children's parents as well as teachers, nurses and doctors, government, social workers, religious and community elders, corporate moguls, media personalities, young society and above all the children themselves. With the joint efforts of all, the country, nation-society will be beautiful and fluent for the child.

Children's Day is the UN's desire to give children the opportunity to interact with children. By doing this, the children will exchange feelings among themselves in the caste and group. They will encourage themselves, make them aware of their rights.

And through these these children will one day become society-aware, state-aware, above all rights-aware. More than 15 million children between the ages of five and 14 are involved in hazardous work worldwide. Which is contrary to the UN Charter, contrary to children's rights. Due to the corona virus, the lives of children involved in hazardous work are more critical. That is why this year the theme of Children's Day is 'I want a better future for every child'.

It is everyone's responsibility to ensure that every child in the world can live a minimum life. For this, children should be given opportunities in various fields. Even in state important work. As the child will understand about his own ability, his sense of responsibility towards the society will also be created. This allows children to position themselves in a stronger position, for themselves and for other children.

In various countries of the world, some innovative initiatives are taken to create children's rights. These include, for a day, making a child the mayor of a city or the highest officer of a police department. Or placed in the highest power of an organization.

Such a novel initiative has also started in Bangladesh. For example, SSC candidate Boishakhi was given the responsibility of Rangpur City Corporation on the Children's Day. Rupkatha Rahman, a twelfth grade student of Holy Cross School in Dhaka, made a fuss by getting the responsibility of one day editor of a widely circulated daily in the country as World Children's Day.

Don't just sit there. Children should be given more exceptional opportunities like this. Such exceptional initiatives will give the child experience about his future course of action, make him aware of his rights, as well as remind us of our responsibility towards children. It will be reminded that children are not only part of this world, but the world of the future will also be in the hands of children.

> Diseases of children in winter :-
Generally, seasonal changes affect everyone more or less. Seasonal change increases the prevalence of various diseases. Children get sick especially in winter. And in winter, everyone's body needs extra care. Because the weather is dry during this time, various skin problems occur. Many problems are seen inside and outside the body. Especially if you want to keep your Sonamani healthy, you need extra precautions, extra care. Maybe we get a lot of advice from relatives or elders in these matters. But all suggestions may not be correct in all cases. And this can be a problemIn this winter, children are more affected by cold, cough, sore throat, fever, pneumonia. Children are mainly affected by these diseases due to the dry and dusty weather in winter. So at this time the parents should be aware.

> Be aware:- Children should be kept away from cold air and dust. Since these diseases are transmitted in winter, it is better to take children as little as possible to crowded places. Children's towels, handkerchiefs, towels, etc. should be kept separate and children should be kept away when the infected person sneezes. Children should be taught to wear face masks when taking them to school or outside. Ginger lemon tea, gargara in hot water, honey, tulsi leaf juice etc. can be given to the child in such problems. But if the problem is more, you must consult a doctor.

> Hot water:- Children should drink and use lukewarm water. After waking up in the morning, if you use mild warm water for children's activities including brushing teeth, washing hands and mouth, eating, children will be free from cold problems at this time. Children should be bathed regularly even in winter. However, it is better to use lukewarm water of body temperature while bathing. However, in the case of newborns or children who have cold problems, the whole body can be wiped by soaking clothes in hot water. Many people bathe their children with mustard oil. It leaves the baby's hair wet and cold even after the bath.

> Warm clothes:- Children should wear woolen clothes. However, according to the doctor, it is not right for children to wear woolen clothes directly. It can cause children to be allergic to the tiny hairs of the wool. A cotton cloth should be worn over it with a woolen cloth and the cloth should be of soft cloth. Because rough or hard clothes can cause problems on children's soft skin. However, in mild winters, children's warm clothing should not be made of very warm fabric. Because wearing too warm clothes can cause the baby to get cold from sweating in the heat. Dress children in light full sleeved gingham at night before going to bed and light winter clothes in the morning and evening on the way to and from school.
> Food:- Children's tendency to eat decreases during winter. As a result, their body deteriorates. They should be fed nutritious food frequently. Children should eat egg yolk, vegetable soup and fruit juice to increase skin smoothness and glow. Especially carrots, beets, tomatoes are very beneficial for children's skin. Apart from this, you can cook khichuri with different types of winter vegetables. Care should also be taken that children do not eat any kind of cold food during this time.
> Skin care :- Children's skin is much more sensitive than adults. So their skin becomes very rough. Use baby lotion, baby oil, glycerin etc. on baby's face and body.

> Watch out for infection:-
Children are more prone to infections in winter, mainly because their immunity levels are lowIf you notice that your child is breathing loudly with a wheezing sound, has a severe cough, or is having difficulty breathing, he may have an infection, take your child to his doctor immediatelyAnd if it is a common cold and the condition is not too severe, you can opt for home remedies. Even a common cold can disrupt your baby's sleep patterns and make him tired and groggy the next daySo to help him get a good night's rest, gently massage his neck, chest and back with Vicks Vaporab** (suitable for children aged 2 years and above) and wrap a light blanket over himThe natural properties of menthol and eucalyptus oil will help your baby to breathe without any difficulty and get rid of cough. For babies aged 3 months and above you can use Vicks BabyRab * which helps moisturise, soothe and calm a babyBabyRab and your loving touch will jointly moisturize your baby while the lavender and rosemary scent of this balm will help him relax and sleep.

In conclusion, taking care of your baby in the winter will require you to be a little extra careful, and sometimes over-cautious. But as long as your baby is warm and safely protected, it's okayFollow the above mentioned guidelines to take good care of your baby during the beautiful winter days and don't panic if your baby sneezes once or twice.

Author, Founder and Chairman, Jatiya Rogi Kallyan Society