Last updated 10 months ago by Jessica Brooks | Published: June 1, 2017

Mother and Children’s Day Mongolia

* Updated May 2024

If you find yourself in Ulaanbaatar on June 1 and notice a large number of children in the city centre, you are witnessing the celebration of Mother and Children’s Day in Mongolia.

June 1 is recognised globally as the International Day for Child Protection. In Mongolia, this day is celebrated as both Children’s Day and Mother and Children’s Day, though the festivities primarily focus on the children. This public holiday, known as Эх үрсийн баяр in Mongolian, has been an important date in Mongolia for over 60 years.

Despite its small population of 3.3 million (2020 Census), Mongolia has a young demographic. According to the 2020 Census, 31.5% of the population is under 14 years old. In Ulaanbaatar, a city of over 1.5 million people, more than 30% are children.

The day is filled with fun activities, celebrations, and family gatherings, making it a vibrant and joyous occasion throughout the country.

Supporting Our Team On Mother and Children’s Day In Mongolia

All of our guides are Mongolian women, and over 90% are mothers. Despite our limited financial resources, we are deeply committed to supporting our team members with childcare responsibilities. Our childcare support is designed to be inclusive and flexible, catering to the diverse needs of our team in Mongolia, where family dynamics often extend beyond the traditional parent-child relationship.

We recognise the unique childcare needs of our team and strive to make thoughtful accommodations within our means. We firmly believe that even small gestures can significantly assist our team in managing their childcare responsibilities while contributing to the overall success of our company.

You can learn more about our efforts in our Gender Equality Policy. As a token of our appreciation and support, we have started offering gifts to all our team members with young children on June 1. This small gesture reflects our commitment to their well-being and acknowledges the important role they play in both their families and our organisation.

Historical Background of Child Protection in Mongolia

The first child organisation and movement in Mongolia were established on May 5, 1925, initiated by the Mongolian writer D. Natsagdorj and the youth of that era. Mongolia became the fifth member of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990 and subsequently developed the Law on Protecting Children’s Rights, ratified on May 8, 1996.

In 2014, the free Child Helpline 108 was launched by Mongolia’s National Authority for Children, World Vision Mongolia, and Mobicom Corporation to help reduce child abuse cases and strengthen the child protection system. This helpline provides children with information, advice, and assistance, allowing them to call 108 toll-free from anywhere, at any time, to seek advice or report abuse, domestic violence, or peer pressure.

In 2016, the Parliament of Mongolia passed the country’s first Law on Child Protection, marking a significant step toward fulfilling every child’s right to protection. This law aims to strengthen comprehensive child protection systems to address risks and vulnerabilities related to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Practical Guidelines for Child Safety in Tourism

As part of our Child Protection Policy, we are committed to complying with international sustainability standards in the protection of children. This includes developing practical guidelines to ensure our trips are safe for children. We recognise that children are not tourist attractions and that we have a responsibility to protect them. This means not arranging school or orphanage visits except for qualified educators and always prioritising the safety and well-being of children.

For example, during our complimentary tour of Ulaanbaatar, we visit the Uuliin Nuur Community Project in the ger districts, a project we have supported since 2016, led by Mongolian philanthropist Ulzii. While local children use this project, our focus is on supporting Uuliin Nuur and its initiatives without emphasising the children who benefit from it.

Our practical guidelines also include:

• Respectful Photography: Being considerate when taking photos, and always obtain permission from parents or guardians before photographing children.
• Temporary Connections: Avoiding encouraging close attachments with individual children, as our visits are temporary and maintaining contact beyond the visit is not feasible.

The tourism industry has significant power to help make environments safer for children, and as travellers, you can contribute to this effort. For more information on organisations working within the tourism industry to protect children, visit the Child Safe Movement at thinkchildsafe.org or The Code at thecode.org.

Jess @ Eternal Landscapes