The Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Ms. Ann Veneman, will be visiting the Kingdom of Lesotho from Tuesday 06th to Thursday 08th of April 2010.

The purpose of her visit is to witness firsthand the progress made in Lesotho to protect and promote children, young people and women’s rights, especially with regards to health, education, social protection and HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Ms. Veneman will meet with Government leadership to discuss challenges, successes and collaboration in continuing efforts to improve children’s lives. She will also have the opportunity to visit field programmes.
On the occasion of her visit, Ms. Veneman, jointly with Government and partners, will officially launch the ‘Facts for Life’ publication, which provides life-saving information on child survival, growth, learning, development, protection, care and support. “Facts For Life’ presents the most important facts that people have a right to know to prevent child deaths and diseases and protect women during pregnancy and childbirth. Its messages are simple and promote cost-effective interventions that can influence and lead to positive changes in social paractices and norms.
Since its first publication in 1989, Facts for Life has been translate in 215 languages and benefitted millions of individuals across the world. Published by UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNDP, UNAIDS, WFP and the World Bank, Facts for Life urges all communicators – health workers, the media, government, non-governmental organizations, teachers, religious leaders, trade unions, women's groups, individuals, young people, families and communities in all corners of the world– to join in a common cause to promote and protect the rights of all children.

A press conference with UNICEF Executive Director, Ms. Ann Veneman, the Honorable Minister of Health and Social Welfare Dr. Mphu Ramatlapeng (TBC) and other partners will be held on Wednesday 07 April at 16:00 hours at the UN House, UN conference room, during which the global ‘Facts For Life’ publication will be officially launched.

NOTE FOR THE MEDIA:

• Media is advised to arrive at 15:30 hours to facilitate timely preparations.

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For more information contact:

Roshan Khadivi, UNICEF New York | Tel: +1 212 326 7270 | e-mail: rkhadivi@unicef.org

Clelia Barbadoro, UNICEF Lesotho | Tel: +266 22 315 801 | e-mail: cbarbadoro@unicef.org