UNICEF criticized for sponsoring promiscuous children’s television program

San Salvador, El Salvador, Jul 23, 2010 / 15:53 pm

Salvadoran columnist Julia Regina de Cardenal has denounced UNICEF for sponsoring a television program that promotes unethical behavior and promiscuity to children.

“Why are international organizations obsessed with investing such sums of money to pervert our children?” she asked in a column for the Salvadoran daily, Hoy. As an example, Cardenal pointed to the money spent on advertising during a television program that “promotes promiscuity, prostitution as a way of earning a living for young women, homosexuality and all forms of sexual disorder.”

“The grim message to teens is that sex is a game that must be experienced in the search for pleasure, without any concern for the consequences of physical, psychological, mental, spiritual, social and cultural health,” she warned. 

El Salvador is going through “a frightening and unbearable crisis of violence, terrorism and brutality never before seen,” Cardenal continued.  For this reason it is crazy and unacceptable that UNICEF - which claims to protect children - is sponsoring a program that is so damaging to society, the family and the dignity of the person.”

UNICEF is “not looking at the true needs of Salvadoran children” in the areas of heath, nutrition, security and education, she continued, noting that foundations that promote such programs receive no answer when they request financial assistance. “Is there only money available to promote unethical behavior?  This is the most destructive thing they can do,” she said.

She also criticized authorities for allowing “this kind of perversion on children’s television,” and encouraged parents to call or write to express their dissatisfaction with the program.