‘’Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future. Those who abuse them tear at the fabric of our society and weaken our nation’’
Nelson Mandela
Stop attacks on children!
It is a sad reality that in situations where armed conflict breaks out, it is the most vulnerable members of societies – namely children, who are most affected by the consequences of war. The six most common violations are recruitment and use of children in war, killing, sexual violence, abduction, attacks on schools and hospitals, and denial of humanitarian access.
To draw attention to this phenomenon, the United Nation instituted the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. The origin of the day goes back to 19 August 1982, at its emergency special session on the question of Palestine, the General Assembly, “appalled at the great number of innocent Palestinian and Lebanese children victims of Israel’s acts of aggression”, decided to commemorate 4 June of each year as “The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression”. The purpose of the day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse.
In recent years, the number of violations perpetrated against children have, in many conflict zones, increased. More needs to be done to protect the 250 million children living in countries and areas affected by conflict. More must be done to protect children from targeting by violent extremists, to promote international humanitarian and human rights law, and to ensure accountability for violations of the rights of children.
Worked by: Daniela Bardhaj, Intern R&D, Center for School Leadership
Reference:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/child-victim-day