(8 November 2006 6:05 pm)

MUMBAI: Kansai telecasting corporation of Japan has been named as the winner of the ABU CASBAA Unicef child rights award 2006 for its documentary entitled Conquering the Darkness - The fight against memories of abuse.

The child rights award , is given each year in recognition of the best television programming on a child rights issue produced in the Asia-Pacific region.

The documentary follows Aya, a 33-year-old mother, who suffered abuse as a child and subsequently abused her own children. It is the tale of a parent's personal struggle to end the cycle of child abuse in the family.

"We are often quick to point the finger at parents who abuse their children, but patterns of abuse so often begin in childhood, creating a chain that can continue over generations, " said documentray producer Shinichi Sugimoto.

This year, the child rights award received a total of 40 entries from countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Japan, Mongolia, Philippines, Republic of Korea and Singapore.

Broadcasting union secretary-general Asia-Pacific David Astley said, "The child rights award is a significant platform that allows broadcasters in the Asia- Pacific to demonstrate their ability to produce quality programming on children's issues. The ABU wants to encourage broadcasters to continue to invest in such programmes in the future."

CASBAA CEO Simon Twiston Davies said, "The continued participation of regional broadcasters in the child rights award is welcome and clearly underlines their resolve towards producing educational and entertaining programmes for and about children."

The panel of jurors included, Amar Keshar Simha, an independent producer from Pakistan; producer China central television (CCTV) Wang Yan; Mongolian radio and television director of Children's Programme Ariunjargal Luvsantseren; Infocus Asia executive producer Francis Smith; Australia Network chief executive Ian Carroll and Discovery Networks Asia vice president programming James Gibbons.

The top ten finalists in 2006 are:

Winner

- Conquering the Darkness - The Fight Against Memories of Abuse (Japan)

Finalists

- Dark Street Kids (Malaysia)- This documentary chronicles the hardship, as well as the stigma and discrimination of children who are born and live in dark alleys or brothels of Malaysia.

- Korean Children - I am All Alone (Korea)- This documentary is about Minho is an 11-year-old boy neglected by his parents. His only friend is a TV set. A stark portrayal of how a child is deeply affected by the problems and negligence of his parents.

- Tuesday Report: Pocket Money (Hong Kong) - This programme documents the life of three children who live in cramped flats and have to sell scrap paper and scrap metal for their pocket money.

- Young People on Wheels (Bhutan) - The documentary follows a group of unemployed youths who are creating awareness of a campaign on HIV and AIDS in Bhutan.

- The Orphans, Childless and Predators (Singapore) - The documentary looks at on how orphaned children coped with the devastating experienceof Tsunami. It also features a child trafficker who agreed to tell his side of story and tries to justify his actions.

- Get Real Child Sex Tourism - Sold for Sex (Singapore) - The programme investigates the plight of child sex workers on the Indonesian Island of Batam.

- Emergency - Junior Boxer (Philippines) - Residents of general santos city are very fond of boxing even children undergo intensive training to become professional boxers during which many sustain grave injuries that sometimes even result in death.

- We Shall Overcome (Bangladesh) - This documentary chronicles the life of an eight-year-old girl who is deaf and mute and believes she can succeed in her dream to become a fine arts teacher.

- School of the Highlands (Philippines) - The importance placed on education by indigenous communities in the Philippines is recounted in this documentary which looks at the challenges families face in schooling their children and promoting their rights.