UNICEF UP Chief meets with Hon’ble Speaker, Vidhan Sabha to discuss key priorities for children and young people

Lucknow 27 May; Chief of UNICEF Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Zakari Adam, met Hon’ble Speaker, Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, Shri Satish Mahana, yesterday at his Vidhan Sabha chambers to discuss key priorities for children, youth and women in the state.

Dr. Adam appreciated the Hon’ble Speaker’s leadership in strengthening legislative proceedings, as well as the dignity and decorum of India’s largest Legislative Assembly. He highlighted the important role of State Legislatures, Legislative Committees and Hon’ble Legislators in upholding the rights and ensuring the well-being of children. Uttar Pradesh is home to 8.5 crore children, accounting for nearly 43 per cent of the state’s total population—larger than many countries in the world.

Each Legislative constituency has more than 50 per cent of its population comprising children and young people, whose holistic development is crucial to achieving the vision of Viksit UP.

The Hon’ble Speaker acknowledged UNICEF’s work on children and women’s issues in collaboration with key government departments in the state. He encouraged active engagement with legislators to deepen their understanding of child-related indicators, the state’s progress on SDGs, good practices from different states and countries, and the gaps and challenges in improving outcomes for children in health, nutrition, sanitation, quality education, protection and safety.

Mr. P. K. Dubey, Principal Secretary, Vidhan Sabha, facilitated the discussions. Dr. Adam was joined by Ms. Piush Antony, Social Policy Specialist, and Ms. Nipurnh Gupta, Communication Specialist.UNICEF UP.

The deliberations focused on Uttar Pradesh’s child budget statement and the role of Legislative Committees and legislators in ensuring that allocations for child-, youth- and women-focused schemes reach and benefit the most vulnerable and last-mile populations. The state’s status on child and maternal mortality, as well as nutrition, was also discussed with a view to accelerating the achievement of Sustainable Development targets.

The state government’s initiatives for children’s well-being—including the Dastak Abhiyan, SAMbhav Abhiyan, Bal Seva Yojna and Bal Shramik Yojna, among others, with UNICEF’s technical support—were also highlighted during the discussion.

The meeting concluded with UNICEF reaffirming its commitment to strengthening collaboration and support to the State Legislative Assembly to ensure sustainable outcomes for children and women in Uttar Pradesh.