Heal the world

Every year Universal Children’s Day is celebrated on

20th November. You! takes a look...

Universal Children’s Day is celebrated every year to protect children’s rights and give them a better future. Read on to find out more about this special day...

Turning the clocks back

In order to protect the rights of children, UN General Assembly announced the idea of an annual event for children in the year 1954. In 1956, the day was commenced and called, ‘Universal Children’s Day’. The aim was to combat abuse against children all over the world and to promote their welfare.

The assembly adopted declaration and convention on children’s rights in November 1959 and 1989, respectively, among which the convention set out a number of children’s rights including their right to life, to health, to education and to play, as well as the right to family life, which needs to be protected from violence.

Importance of the day:

Children, in every country, culture and at every social level, face various forms of abuse, exploitation and violence. The abuse takes place at home, in school, in institutions, in the community, and during natural disasters. Unfortunately, growing up with violence and abuse affects a child’s development, dignity, physical and psychological integrity.

The injustices done to children are many. In some countries, children are treated as labourers, and according to statistics, there are 153 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 who are forced into child labour. While others, are suffering from religious or minority issues. Some are with disabilities or living on streets. Similarly in many counties, children are unfortunately a part of sex trade and child pornography. Other forms of violence include harmful traditional practices (including early marriage and genital mutilation) and recruitment into armed forces and groups. However, with efforts towards the protection of the rights of children, the statistics of those suffering has reduced. According to Anthony Lake, the Executive Director UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF)  child death rates have cut by half with 90 per cent of children admitted in primary schools, and 2.6 billion people with access to clean water.

It is changes like these that re-affirm the importance of this day. Here  the media also plays a vital role in creating awareness and how it can assist in creating a world that is fit for children.

Worldwide celebrations

Many schools and educational institutions over the world, make a special effort to inform children of their rights. UNICEF also holds events and conferences to draw particular attention to children’s rights. This is done to catch media attention around the world in order to trigger a nationwide campaign.

Mothers, fathers, teachers, nurses and doctors, religious and media professionals as well as young people and children, all play an important part in making Universal Children’s Day relevant for different societies and communities.

Working towards a better future:

The situation for children in Pakistan is no different from those living in other countries facing socio-economic challenges. Children in our nation, unfortunately, are denied some of the most fundamental rights such as registration at birth, nutrition, immunization, safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, education and many other basic necessities and rights. However, there are a few organizations who are working towards building a better future for our children.

SPARC (Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child): 

SPARC has numerous projects that cater to the protection of children rights and their lives. They are working on improving sustainable livelihoods for girls in the underprivileged communities of Punjab, also, it caters to women and girls victimized by child and forced marriages. SPARC publishes annual reports that are relevant to children’s rights including; education, health, child labour, violence against children and juvenile justice. The report also gives recommendations to take appropriate measures to address issues faced by children. Other projects they are working on include: juvenile justice, provision of education, rebuilding schools in flood affected areas.

VOC (Voice of Children):

VOC works for the children welfare with respect to education, health, information and entertainment. Their aim is to equip children with the best tools to work around modern rule. They also publish a monthly magazine, which comprises all children related issues along with subjects of their interests.

Make-A-Wish Foundation:

Originated in the United States in 1980, the foundation is focused on making the wishes of children with life threatening diseases come true. Make-A-Wish Pakistan, headed by Ishtiaq Baig, is part of the largest non-profit wish granting organization in the world, serving over 36 countries with international affiliates in five continents. Since its inception, the organization has helped make over 250,000 wishes come true for children around the world.

KONPAL Child Abuse Prevention Society:

KONPAL is committed to raise awareness against child abuse through various programmes by making use of modern technologies while conducting seminars and workshops in schools, universities and hospitals. Few programmes include formation of child protection committee, which helps in creating a network among different hospitals to report child abuse cases. The team includes psychologists, medical social workers, paediatricians, gynaecologists, psychiatrists etc. They also offer medical and legal support, counselling and psychological support, and rehabilitation for homeless children.

UNICEF Pakistan:

 UNICEF works with government sectors, government itself, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Provincial Social Welfare Departments, international and national NGOs, and other UN agencies to protect children from abuse, exploitation and violence. UNICEF provides support, while its department National Commission for Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD) enforces, monitors and protects sexually abused children. The organization is also responsible for the drafting of the child protection law and policy.

A report by UNICEF in 2015 revealed the sufferings of children worldwide. According to the findings...

- Children from the poorest households are nearly twice as likely as those from the richest households who die before age five, and five times more likely to be out of school.

- It also states that girls from the poorest families are four times more likely as those from the richest families to be married before 18.

- More than 2.4 billion people still do not have adequate toilets - 83 million in East Asia and the Pacific, and more than 660 million still lack access of safe drinking water

- Children make up almost half of the world’s poor population.

- Nearly 250 million children live in conflict-torn countries, and over 200,000 have risked their lives seeking refuge in Europe.

However, it is sad to see that despite taking so many initiatives, we still spot those innocent faces; roaming around the streets barefoot, deprived of the basic necessities!