Hope for the future: A photo taken in Haiti on display at an exhibition organised by the Canadian embassy in Ha Noi. — Photo courtesy of the Canadian Embassy

HA NOI (VNS)— Children's innocent eyes and mothers breast-feeding their babies are among the touching images in a photography exhibition at the Vietnamese Women's Museum in Ha Noi.

Provided by Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, the photographs come from Afghanistan, Haiti, Bangladesh and other countries where Canadian support has im-proved the quality of life of mothers and children.

"The exhibition provides a unique opportunity for Canada to showcase our commitment to maternal, newborn and child health efforts in many parts of the developing world," said Canadian Ambassador David Devine.

The exhibition is timed on the occasion of the International Girls Day in order to raise awareness about the particular challenges that girls face.

Speaking at the exhibition, Devine said that saving the lives of women and children was not only a moral imperative, it was the foundation for building prosperous communities for this generation and the next.

Each year, six million children die before their fifth birthday and nearly 300,000 women die in pregnancy; most of these deaths could be prevented by access to clean water, nutritious food and basic health care, he said.

Visitor Suzanne Lecht said the event was important to raise awareness about protecting maternal and child health.

"We need to ask people to join hands with us to protect children," she said.

Viet Nam has reduced its ma-ternal mortality rate by two-thirds and has more than halved its under-five mortality rate in recent years.

While challenges remain, the photos depict signs of hope, such as women being provided with medical services and maternal health care and children receiving education and nutrition support.

The exhibition will run until October 21 at the Vietnamese Women's Museum, 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Ha Noi. — VNS