Current Affairs MCQs – Page 13 (Q121-130)

World Consumer Rights Day is observed every year on March 15, a date chosen to commemorate US President John F. Kennedy's 1962 speech to Congress, in which he became the first world leader to formally address the issue of consumer rights. The day is used by consumer organizations worldwide to campaign for the protection and empowerment of consumers against unfair market practices. April 15 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the following month but is not the real observance date. Kennedy's speech outlined four basic consumer rights: to safety, to be informed, to choose, and to be heard.

The International Day of Forests is observed every year on March 21, established by the UN General Assembly in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests to environmental and human wellbeing. Forests cover about 31 percent of the world's land area and are vital for biodiversity, carbon storage and the livelihoods of over a billion people. May 21 is a tempting distractor since it falls in a different month but is not the real observance date, which coincides with the same day as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Each year's observance highlights a different forest-related theme, such as forests and innovation or forests and biodiversity.

World Autism Awareness Day is observed every year on April 2, designated by the UN General Assembly in 2007 to highlight the need for improved understanding, acceptance and support for people with autism spectrum disorder. Landmarks around the world are lit up in blue each year as part of the Light It Up Blue campaign associated with the day. March 2 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the preceding month but is not the real observance date. Autism spectrum disorder affects an estimated one in a hundred children globally, according to World Health Organization estimates.

World Press Freedom Day is observed every year on May 3, marking the anniversary of the 1991 Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles adopted by African journalists in Namibia's capital. The day, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom while assessing threats to journalists worldwide, including censorship and violence. June 3 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the following month but is not the real observance date. UNESCO awards the World Press Freedom Prize each year on this date to honor journalists who have made outstanding contributions to press freedom.

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is observed every year on May 8, chosen because it is the birthday of Henry Dunant, the Swiss founder of the Red Cross movement, born in Geneva in 1828. The day celebrates the principles of humanity, impartiality and neutrality that guide the work of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies worldwide in providing disaster relief and humanitarian assistance. May 18 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the same month but is not the real observance date. The Red Crescent symbol is used instead of the Red Cross in many Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, for cultural and religious reasons.

The International Day of Families is observed every year on May 15, designated by the UN General Assembly in 1993 to reflect the importance the international community attaches to families as basic units of society. The day promotes awareness of issues affecting families, such as work-life balance, poverty and access to social protection. May 5 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the same month but is not the actual observance date. Each year's theme often connects to broader UN priorities, such as the Sustainable Development Goals or demographic change.

World No Tobacco Day is observed every year on May 31, established by the World Health Organization in 1987 to draw global attention to the health risks associated with tobacco use and to advocate for effective policies to reduce consumption. The day highlights the tobacco industry's marketing tactics and pushes governments to adopt stronger anti-smoking legislation and taxation. June 30 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the following month but is not the real observance date. Tobacco use is estimated by WHO to kill more than eight million people worldwide every year.

World Oceans Day is observed every year on June 8, an idea first proposed at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and later formally recognized by the United Nations in 2008. The day celebrates the ocean's role in sustaining life on Earth and raises awareness about threats such as plastic pollution, overfishing and climate-driven ocean warming. June 18 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the same month but ten days later than the real date. Oceans cover more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface and produce over half of the planet's oxygen.

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed every year on June 26, a date designated by the UN General Assembly in 1987 to build an international society free of drug abuse. The observance promotes global action and cooperation to achieve a world free of illicit drug trafficking and its damaging health and social consequences. July 26 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the following month but is not the real observance date. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime leads global coordination efforts and publishes an annual World Drug Report tied closely to this observance.

World Youth Skills Day is observed every year on July 15, designated by the UN General Assembly in 2014 to highlight the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, entrepreneurship and decent work. The day draws attention to the global mismatch between the skills young people acquire and those demanded by rapidly changing labor markets. June 15 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the preceding month but is not the actual observance date. Youth unemployment remains a significant policy challenge in many developing countries, including Pakistan, where a large share of the population is under 30.