Under-five mortality rate in Moldova has reduced and so has the number of minors in detention. At the same time, the school attendance rate of children with special needs was this year 10 times greater than in 2010. This was announced by Nune Mangasaryan, UNICEF Representative in Moldova, during a meeting with Prime Minister Pavel Filip.

The interlocutors discussed the achievements and cooperation plans in advancing children's rights in Moldova and in ensuring proper conditions for children to grow, develop and receive education.

“Children's security and the observance of their rights are closely related to economic growth. We trust that we will be able to improve things in this department and ensure a decent future to Moldova's children”, stated Pavel Filip.

Particular attention was paid during the discussion to efforts to reduce poverty in families with many children. To this end, a welfare mechanism was promised to ensure social equity and reduce the number of persons with incomes below poverty line.

Another issue discussed was the problem of children left behind by migrant parents. A UNICEF study shows that 4% of Moldova's children have both parents who have left abroad, and some 20% are being raised by single parents.

Moldova ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1993, and two years later UNICEF opened its Office in Chisinau.