The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie says even though malnutrition among children under five is high in the country there have been many positive developments.

Commending on the State of the World's Children (SOWC) 2010 report, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie said such developments include children's participation in education, strengthening of child protection services such as Child and Gender Protection Unit and Child Helpline Services.

She highlighted others as the Orphaned and Vulnerable Children policy, Lesotho Child grants, HIV prevention treatment and care activities.”

She noted that the UN family is committed towards partnering with the government and other stakeholders dealing with children's issues and appealed to all to join forces in addressing major threats affecting children such as climate change and HIV and AIDS.

Amongst others, the report states that children's rights to nutrition, education, family care and protection remain a leading challenge in enhancing their quality of life.

In Lesotho, it indicates that malnutrition constitutes 55 percent of under five child mortality rates and that male children appear to be most affected as compared to females.

It states that more than one billion of children world wide are deprived of at least one of their rights in education, water and sanitation, access to information, essential health care, nutrition and shelter.

The report calls for relevant authorities such as governments', stakeholders dealing with children's issues to unite and apply various strategies meant to improve the lives of children.

The SOWC report of 2010, which was launched last Friday also shows that although most countries including Lesotho have a potential of improving the quality of life for children, nutrition, education, family care and protection pose greater challenges to improvements.

The report highlights progress achieved in reaching children, who are still being denied their rights to survival, development, protection and participation.

Source: LENA 26/11/2009