ALBAWABA - Children can be loud and frustrating. They tend to drive parents and adults crazy.
But no one can deny that no matter how difficult it might be to deal with young kids, children have a certain warmth and love to them that lights up the world.
I am not a mother and so I cannot come to imagine the magic that comes with having children. But what I do know is the amount of love, warmth, and joy I feel every time I am around little kids, especially when I am around my amazing nieces and beautiful nephew.
Every time I look at them or even think about them, I’m filled with a crippling desire to protect them from everything bad. To protect them from bullies, mental traumas, and all things ugly this world has to offer.
When I think about the kind of love I have for them, I cannot come to fathom how there are people out there who abuse and mistreat children. This makes me think about the millions of children who were not lucky enough to be born in a house that cradles them with love, protection, and affection. It makes my heart ache for the children being abused, trafficked, and slowly but brutally ripped from their childhood. In fact, it is estimated that 25% of the human trafficking victims are children, which amounts to around 4M children! In addition, around 300M children are regularly abused.
The reality of things is that we have come to live in a world where there is not much awareness about the responsibility that comes with having children. Rarely do adults pause and think if they are able to be decent parents. Instead, they decide to bring children for all the wrong reasons and end up making them their own personal punching bags.
Whether it is emotional, mental, or physical well-being, there are millions of people out there who are oblivious that children have the right to be born into a world that loves them, protects them, and gives them equal opportunities.
This year, World Children’s Day highlights the importance of building a future where children have the chance to live in an inclusive, equal, and fair world.
But with so much violence, turmoil, and injustice, how can we achieve that?
We live in a world that is far from perfect, but we owe it to ourselves, our children, and all future generations to work toward making it a better, more peaceful place. That is why world leaders, leading institutions, and every individual has a responsibility to speak up and take action toward achieving that. To do so, children need to have access to quality education and mental health care and live in a world where climate change, violence, and discrimination are combatted. And while the UN and other leading organizations are working towards providing all children with access to quality education by 2030, it is also the responsibility of individuals to help push for reforms in their countries. This can look like volunteering to teach disadvantaged children, raising awareness around mental health, and speaking up against racism and discrimination.
A crucial part of building a better future consists of raising a generation that is aware, educated, and able to stand up for themselves. That is why efforts this year are moving toward creating an inclusive community where everyone feels included and accepted. By doing so, future generations will grow up in a healthier world where they are no longer subject to discrimination and distress that can impact their mental well-being.
@unicef This is how soccer helped 25-year-old Chisomo from Malawi feel included and accepted. ⚽ What’s your story of kindness, inclusion and acceptance? Share it and use #IFeltIncluded ♬ Storytelling - Adriel
At the end of the day, when it comes to the well-being and rights of children, the whole world should be on the same team; fighting for the rights of children and protecting them.
