With over 98% vaccination coverage, period-friendly schools, nationwide child protection desks, English as a formal subject in monastic schools, Bhutan’s first national education policy, and the UPSHIFT program, which educates about 20,000 youth, UNICEF has made great strides in Bhutan. UNICEF has been in Bhutan for 50 years, and these accomplishments are part of that time. Last but not least, Bhutan is developing its first inclusive, shock-responsive social protection framework to increase resilience during emergencies. These achievements give Bhutan’s youth a strong foundation for future progress. In order to reach its goal of 100% by 2030, UNICEF has raised enrollment in early childhood care and development in remote areas by 38%.
In addition to making child protection services available in every district, they have launched digital platforms for mathematics and English. Bhutan has put policies in place to shield children who are at risk from gender-based violence, making sure that services are available in far-flung places. In order to meet the needs of children and youth in Bhutan’s fast modernization, UNICEF has engaged with them on issues such as education, substance abuse, mental health, and climate change. Through encouraging digital connectivity, mental health, and critical thinking abilities, UNICEF is helping Bhutanese children and youth adjust to the country’s fast modernization. In order to prepare kids for the challenges of the future, they are also tackling climate change and making sure that policies are inclusive and protective. In order to prevent vulnerable families and children from slipping through the cracks during this modernization process, social protection systems are crucial.
