Discrimination in childhood has lasting consequences for the child, whether it be unequal access to education, services such as personal companions and personal assistants, or inadequate transportation to schools in rural areas, abuse in institutions, stigmatization, or marginalization of children, said the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality Brankica Janković at the session of the Council for the Rights of the Child. Presenting the Special Report on Discrimination against Children, she also pointed out some other problems, such as the lack of adequate textbooks for children with disabilities, but also the insufficient inclusion of children living in Roma settlements in the education system.

In order to solve the problem, the institution of the Commissioner made a series of recommendations in the Special Report, and one that was directed to local governments today refers to the establishment and provision of personal assistant services in full and in continuity, said Janković. She also stated that amid the recommendations, among other things, is the need to continuously provide conditions at the local level for increasing children’s enrollment in schools, especially from social groups that are exposed to increased risk of discrimination, the improvement of access to education, especially for children with disabilities and children accommodated in institutions, as well as the establishment of continuous cooperation with health and social protection systems.

At the session of the Council, the analysis of UNICEF on the prevention and protection of children from violence, sexual exploitation, and abuse was presented, as well as the project “Incentive Parenthood”.