Stolen Childhood That Must Be Restored and Ensured

How many more innocent lives must be lost before we realize that protecting children is no just a duty, but a moral imperative?

        This year’s 2024 National Children’s Month (NCM) celebration, with the theme "Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines," suggests a powerful action for change.  This celebration serves as our reminder to create an environment where children can thrive free from abuse, fear, exploitation and other forms of violence. The heartbreaking fact that young lives still suffer from violence whether it be emotional, physical, or through neglect is just something that I cannot accept. The theme for this year’s celebration allows us to reflect that each one of us can break the cycle of abuse and ensure that every child has access to a future filled with hope, hope and security.

        It is our duty as members of society to recognize the widespread existence of child abuse and take preventative measures to prevent it. This involves avoiding the underlying root causes of violence as well as addressing the immediate harm caused. Children should be raised in settings that make them feel loved, safe, and appreciated. To address the underlying causes of violence and give children the support they require to recover and thrive, initiatives like awareness campaigns, adequate training for law enforcement, and strengthened child protection policies are essential.

            More importantly, education is a must in order to reduce the prevalence of violence against children. We enable people and communities to act in the best interests of children by educating adults and children about their rights and methods for protecting themselves. Establishing an inclusive society where diversity is valued and every child has an equal chance to develop, learn, and thrive is another aspect of creating a safe environment for adolescents. The commemoration of National Children's Month challenges us to consider our responsibility to safeguard the most defenseless members of our society and create a future in which they can genuinely feel safe and has nothing to be worried about.

References:

Redirect notice. (n.d.-i). Share these posters to spread awareness regarding denial of child rights. Facebook. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/106065598246416/posts/share-these-posters-to-spread-awareness-regarding-denial-of-child-rights/106075271578782/?locale=zh_CN

Redirect notice. (n.d.-j). Children’s rights. Retrieved from https://childrens-rights.digital/fokus/index.cfm/key.3774

Redirect notice. (n.d.-h.). Group of kids. Unsplash. Retrieved from https://unsplash.com/s/photos/group-of-kids