National Week declared to mark World Children’s Day 2026

The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs has declared a National Week from September 25 to October 1 to mark World Children’s Day 2026, which will be celebrated under the theme “Mentally Strong, Children Empowered”.

According to the ministry, the islandwide programme has been designed to reach schoolchildren, children under state care, teachers and parents through a series of awareness and educational activities aimed at promoting children’s mental health, psychosocial well-being and development.

The National Week will commence on September 25 with awareness programmes for children and parents focusing on mental health and psychosocial well-being, alongside initiatives to improve awareness among school communities and other stakeholders.

School-level awareness programmes on children’s mental health and psychosocial development will be conducted on September 26, while community-based World Children’s Day programmes involving children under the age of 16 will be held across the country on September 27.

Activities scheduled for September 28 will be conducted under the sub-theme “A Strong Mind – An Enriched Life”. The day’s programme will include awareness sessions for parents through schools and other institutions, awareness programmes for children and initiatives aimed at promoting psychosocial well-being, mental health, resilience and life skills while strengthening child protection mechanisms.

On September 29, awareness programmes and special activities involving around 100 selected children will be conducted with a focus on child protection, mental well-being and child development.

District-level awareness programmes and activities in preparation for the national celebration will take place on September 30.

The National Week will culminate with the National World Children’s Day Celebration on October 1 at the Faculty of Engineering Auditorium of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in Mattegoda.

The event will be held under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, with the participation of Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj and Deputy Minister Namal Sudarshana.

The Ministry said the week-long programme has been planned to promote children’s well-being, strengthen awareness of mental health issues and encourage the healthy development of children throughout the country. (Newswire)

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