World Children’s Day will be observed on Wednesday, November 20. The theme this year is: “For every child, every right.” The aim is “to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.”
The UN states that World Children’s Day “offers each of us an inspirational entry point to advocate, promote, and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.” On November 20, 1959, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Also, on that day in 1989, the UNGA adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. (See this child-friendly text of the Convention: https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/convention-text-childrens-version).
UNICEF rightly says that “Child rights are human rights. They are non-negotiable and universal. But in too many places today, children’s rights are being misunderstood, disregarded, or even denied and attacked. Upholding children’s rights is the compass to a better world—today, tomorrow, and into the future.”
Six of the eight Millennium Development Goals “relate directly to children, and meeting the last two will also make critical improvements in their lives” (UNICEF). Children are our most precious asset and deserve to be protected, nurtured, and empowered so that they can realise their potential. Is TT a child-friendly place in which ALL children can thrive—including migrant children?
In his recent article, Martin Daly referred to T&T as a “murderous land.” Few will disagree with this description of our beloved T&T when the spectre of rampant crime and violence continues to haunt us all. Remember that every murder is likely to leave behind child(ren) of the perpetrator or victim. What effective homicide bereavement therapeutic services exist for family members, including children, traumatised as the result of the homicide of a loved one? Since this special day was established to raise awareness about the challenges faced by children and to encourage us all to take action for their betterment, let us reflect on the number of other social ills in T&T that lead to the rights of many children being violated, eg, poverty and social exclusion, bullying, child abuse, incest, domestic violence, human trafficking, education inequality, poor housing, inadequate health care, lack of basic amenities, and family instability.
The breakdown of family life, the erosion of the extended family, and the erosion of morals and values all add to the challenges children face. Many children are being lured to join gangs. There have been a number of heinous murders perpetrated against children over the past ten years, and very few of the perpetrators have been apprehended. We have an abysmal detection rate for homicide. “As at August, the homicide detection rate stood at 8.37 per cent” (Newsday Oct 20). These and other social ills stand as obstacles to children’s development. While it is accepted that there are a number of programmes aimed at addressing these and other social ills, we have a long way to go to ensure that we are an inclusive society. This month Australia will introduce legislation to ban social media for children under 16. We may not wish to take such drastic action in T&T, but, given the ways in which social media use can negatively impact children (and adults), we need effective strategies for promoting healthy social media use among children.
Children should be nurtured in homes that are commensurate with their dignity as people made in the image and likeness of God. As the US Bishops remind us: “The family is the central social institution that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined.” Do we have adequate infrastructure in place to support families?
Here are a few contacts that you may find helpful:
- Ministry of Social Development and Family Services/National Family Services Division (627 1163, 623-2608 Ext. 6701/6707;
- Families in Action (24-hour Helpline: 628-2333);
- the Catholic Church’s Family Life Commission (299 1047);
- Children’s Authority (Hotline: 996 or 800-2014;
- Child Line (Helpline: 131 or 800-4321 for FREE);
- National Domestic Violence (Hotline 800-7283 (SAVE))
- Victim and Witness Support (624 8853).
Make a commitment to spend quality time with the children in your life. Offer mentorship, guidance, and support. Volunteer at/donate to organisations that support children, eg, children’s homes, youth programmes.
Let’s unite to advocate for children’s rights, raise awareness about their needs, and take meaningful action to ensure their well-being. Together, we can create a world where every child can flourish, dream, and build a better future for themselves and generations to come.
