International conventions and agreements state that every child has the right to live a life that is free from any form of violence,menace or any acts that can imperil their lives. As to the conventions, all children deserve to grow up in a safe, peaceful, nurturing and enabling environment where their rights and safety are given due weight and can fully exercise their rights accordingly.
Unfortunately, in a situation that is beyond their knowledge and interests, hundreds of thousands children around the globe encounter numerous challenges, experience dreadful sufferings and they are compelled to lead a miserable life owing to crisis that may break out within the territories they are residing in.
As a result, many are forced to leave the place they are familiar with, settle in peculiar areas, involve in number of risky activities including unwillingly engaged in battlefields and go through other forms of harm that yields adverse consequences and lifelong impacts- physical, emotional and psychological traumas.
When we come to developing countries, the case is more overwhelming, disturbing and agonizing for various reasons. Especially,children where their countries are in conflicts are the most vulnerable groups of the crisis.
Disproportionately, the healthy life of many children disrupted, hundreds of thousands of children displaced,recruited and engaged in warfronts;and sacrifice their lives while multitudinous encountering variousrisks.
To speak up for those children who cannot yet speak up for themselves, protect them from violence, improve their welfare, promote and celebrate children’s rights, togetherness and create awareness amongst all children, the international community and government celebrate International Children’s Day annually on 20th November with a wide range of events.
This year, International Children Day was marked with a theme “A Better Future for Every Child.”
Ethiopia also marked this year’s International Children Day with a theme “a country would be built when we give due attention for today’s children.”
The Day was marked in a manner devised to support children who are facing various challenges owing to the conflict broke out in the northern part of the country and hundreds of thousands children encountered challenges.
According to ErgogeTesfaye, Women and Social Affairs Minister said that out of the total Ethiopian children, 11 percent are vulnerable for various challenges.
Currently, following the conflict incited by the terrorist TPLF group and expanded to Amhara and Afar States, several children are exposed to worse situation.
The conflict has resulted in death, severe physical harm, abuse and displacement of thousands of children. It has also left many children orphans. Thus, the Ministry has intended to mark the daythrough executing activities that are benefitting those vulnerableEthiopian children, she said.
The Ministry, apart from giving the required support for thechildren, it is working jointly with concerned governmental and non-governmental organizations. It is also providing food and non-food items (nutritious foods, clothes) and the like humanitarian assistance to the targeted group.
So far, it has delivered support worth of 100 million Birr for elders, women and children displaced from their living areas and sheltering in various areas, the Minister added.
As to her, the Ministry, concurrent to the celebrating the day and performing the aforementioned activities, it has also set additional plans that would be implemented in the program- to ensure the rights and welfare of children. Simultaneously, local child adoption would be carried out for orphan children tofamilies interested in fostering and adopting children.
Mentioning that Ethiopia has signed international and regionalchildren’s rights and social welfare agreementsand has been working diligentlyto realize theconventions, the Minister said that however following the law enforcement operations carried out in the northern part of the country, the terrorist TPLF enterprise is recruiting child soldiers and engaging underage children in battlefields. By doing so, the terrorist is irresponsibly and recklessly exposing the generationto severe sufferings.
As humanitarian organizations revealed, members of the group have raped and abusedseveral girls, displaced thousands of children, disrupted their healthy life, left many more children orphans, and attempted to blur their future dream and hope.
“Thus, to resolve the multifaceted and complex problems those innocent children have faced and unlock it for irreversibly, we should have to work determinedly as the contribution of all of us is pivotal. “
While talking about this year’s theme, Minister Ergoge said that it is only possible to realize the prosperity of the country through generations’ uninterrupted andunwavering efforts and dedications. And this will be realized when it is possible to ensure the welfare and social safety of children and when children get the opportunity to grow in the healthiest environments with care and love. To this effect, giving due attention for children is an issue that cannot be overlooked, she added.
BY STAFF REPORTER
The Ethiopian Herald 23 November 2021
