Protect Children’s Post

"It Is Imperative to Protect Children in War", my recently published op-ed by IPS News in which I highlight three much-needed avenues to protect children in war: 1️⃣ Accountability must be one of the cornerstones of the response to grave violations against children. 2️⃣ The best interest of the child must be prioritized in all actions and decisions-making, including by parties involved in armed conflict and also by States participating in multilateral discussions. 3️⃣ Child protection programs must be bolstered, ensuring that children have access to essential services, such as education, healthcare, psychosocial support, and safe spaces. We must be part of a world where children are born free from violence and fear.

📆 4 June - International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression Children under attack face unspeakable horrors daily, from #warzones to their #homes, #schools, and #hospitals. The 2022 UN Secretary-General Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict reveals alarming data: over 8,630 #children killed or maimed, 7,622 recruited, 3,985 abducted, 1,166 victims of sexual violence, 3,931 incidents of denial of humanitarian access, and 1,846 #attacks on schools and hospitals. These grave violations highlight the urgent need to eliminate factors leading to children's involvement in #armedconflict. To learn more about International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, feel free to visit: https://lnkd.in/emSH4ZD

On the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, let's raise our voices for the countless children whose lives have been shattered by the horrors of war all over the world. No child should ever experience the atrocities of war. They deserve to grow up in a world of peace, love, and safety. Join us in raising awareness and taking action to protect the rights and well-being of innocent children affected by armed conflict. Follow the link https://lnkd.in/gVHsS-YB to learn more about the devastating impacts of war on children and how you can make a difference. Together, we can advocate for: 💛 Safeguarding children's access to education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid. 💛 Holding perpetrators accountable for violations against children. 💛 Supporting programs that provide psychological and emotional support for traumatized children. Like, comment, and share this post to amplify the voices of innocent children caught in the crosshairs of conflict. Let's create a world where every child can grow up in peace, safety, and dignity. #childonlinesafety #childonlineprotection #internetsafety  #wellbeing  #digitalwellbeing #digitalparenting #SaferTogether

Another crisis that is not getting NEAR enough coverage or profiling. Haiti’s crisis has reached new extremes, with 5.5 million people now needing critical humanitarian assistance. Children in Haiti could face new dangers as international security forces deploy this week to tackle the violent armed groups overrunning the country’s capital unless robust child protection measures are in place. Save the Children, Plan International and World Vision are concerned that armed groups in Haiti will respond forcefully to the UN-backed Multinational Security Support mission (MSS), putting children at significant new risks of being caught in the crossfire. We call on the MSS to prioritise children’s rights and safety by ensuring that the deploying forces have child protection expertise in place and child safeguarding training ahead of their deployment. It is essential force are trained on the prevention of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse to ensure greater protection for girls and women.

My friend Ranjini Paskarasingam - as part of the #childprotection Area of Responsibility of the #GlobalProtectionCluster - is coordinating the activities of dozens of organizations in #ukraine that are on the frontlines that are dedicated to protecting children from the worst impacts of war. It can never be enough. There is nothing we can do to reverse the effects of the past two years. But we can do so much more when we all work together. Read more about how +500 frontline workers from +75 organizations have come together to provide this blanket of protection for children in Ukraine, and how the #CPIMS+ is digitally empowering them to work better together. #primeroprotects https://lnkd.in/d3DfqcZU

💡🇨🇦Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada (GAC) has demonstrated a strong commitment to child protection in conflict zones through the Vancouver Principles. This initiative is crucial, integrating child protection into peacekeeping missions and providing a framework for monitoring, reporting, and addressing violations. However, a concern arises regarding the visual representation in the accompanying post, which features 80% of images depicting children of African descent. While the initiative’s importance is undeniable, this disproportionate portrayal of African children raises issues that need be to addressed nationally. According to the Global Conflict Tracker by the Council on Foreign Relations, there are currently 28 conflicts worldwide, with 30% occurring in African nations + Haiti. While this underscores the crisis in parts of Africa, it should not justify the overwhelming focus on African children in conflict. Such representation risks reinforcing a monolithic view of conflict in Africa, overshadowing the global nature of child protection. It may inadvertently suggest that the suffering of children is an issue primarily confined to the African continent, neglecting that armed conflict affects children across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. This narrow focus distorts the universality of the problem, positioning African children as emblematic of conflict and perpetuating a narrative of Africa as a crisis zone. While the effects of conflict on children in Africa are undeniable, it is critical that the visual narrative reflects the diversity of conflict zones worldwide. A more balanced representation would underscore that children everywhere—regardless of their ethnicity or region—are equally vulnerable and deserving of protection. We offer two key recommendations to GAC: Diversification of Visual Representation: GAC should ensure that future posts on child protection in conflict zones reflect a broader range of images from all affected regions. This would provide a more accurate portrayal of the global scope of conflict and child protection issues, aligning with the universal nature of the challenge. Regional Contextualization in Messaging: Alongside visual diversity, GAC can further strengthen its messaging by explicitly acknowledging that conflicts affecting children are not limited to Africa. Highlighting initiatives in other regions, such as the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, would demonstrate a more comprehensive understanding of global conflict dynamics. While the Vancouver Principles remain a vital framework for safeguarding children in conflict, GAC’s messaging must reflect the global nature of this crisis. By ensuring diverse visual representation and expanding the regional scope, GAC can contribute to a more inclusive and balanced discourse on child protection in conflict zones, capturing the shared responsibility of the international community in protecting all children.

The children of Haiti are being forced into armed groups. With ongoing violence, 30 to 50 per cent of armed group members are now children, who are subject to coercion, abuse and exploitation. Children are frequently compelled to join armed groups either as a means of supporting their families, or due to threats against themselves or their families. Many children join groups after being separated from their families, as a means of survival and protection. Additionally, more than half a million children in Haiti are living in neighbourhoods controlled by armed groups, which puts them at higher risk of violence, and child recruitment. Despite the highly volatile environment, UNICEF is stepping up efforts to protect families and provide life-saving support, including for those who are trapped and cut off from essential services. UNICEF calls for accelerated efforts by the international community to protect children in Haiti. #ForEveryChild, peace. More information: https://uni.cf/4bXtK96

🌍 Child Safety Week (3-9 June, 2024) is dedicated to raising awareness and taking action to protect children from harm, emphasizing that every child's safety is paramount. 🕊️ On June 4th, we also honor the Day of Remembrance for Children who died due to armed aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. According to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, 550 children have tragically lost their lives since the full-scale invasion began, with over 1300 more injured. These heartbreaking numbers emphasize the urgent need to protect children in conflict zones. 🏠 At USPUK, we have successfully supported resettlement of over 1000 Ukrainians, including 383 children, but the need for safety remains urgent. Ukrainian families cannot reach the UK without a host through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Over 50% of resettlement requests come from families with at least one child, and now we still have at least 2,000 families including 1,318 children waiting to be matched with their sponsor. 🙏 Let's unite to provide a safety for these vulnerable families. Become a host for a Ukrainian family by registering at uspuk.org/become-a-host #ChildSafetyWeek #ProtectChildren #SupportUkraine #HomesForUkraine #USPUK #HumanitarianAid #RefugeeSupport #GlobalAwareness

1 in 6 children live in areas of the world affected by war or armed conflict. No child should be stripped of their childhood.    7 years ago, Canada launched the #VancouverPrinciples focused on child protection in peacekeeping, including in all the stages of a conflict cycle.     Key measures encompassed by the #VancouverPrinciples include: ✔️ Integrating child protection into mission planning  ✔️ Monitoring for early warning signs  ✔️ Reporting grave violations  ✔️ Taking preventative action  ✔️ And more    Over 100 UN member states have endorsed these principles highlighting their commitment to safeguarding children in conflict zones.    On this 7th anniversary, we invite all countries to continue these efforts and implementing the 17 principles.     When we protect children today, we help create the conditions for peace tomorrow.    For more information on the #VancouverPrinciples, visit: https://lnkd.in/dWKTximg