International Day of Innocent Children-Victims for Aggression

International Day of Innocent Children-Victims for Aggression

Millions of children lose their lives each year as a result of the conflict which could have been averted through diplomacy or talks. These innocent children face very challenging situations in the face of war. As Sir Roger Moore puts it, “the saddest sight these days is the image of hundreds of thousands of children kidnapped and lured into being a child soldier from the age of eight”. Some are abused, exploited, killed, turned to slaves, numerous cases of sexual violence, the starvation as it was during the Nigeria – Biafra war; where about a million children died due to starvation and hunger.

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These experiences do affect the innocent children psychologically, disrupt their physical development and bring about social alienation which changes them forever. Children are usually the most affected during the aggression.
They are powerless and are victims of war.

We remember the children who were kidnapped and are still being killed in Northern Nigeria, children who are caught in the crossfire in the religious and tribal war going on up north. This aggression leaves indelible marks and scars which they grow up with.
Children need peace and should enjoy the right of child care. Warring communities and countries can learn to abide by laws which prohibit them from attacking civilians, schools, hospitals, children.

“Children need peace and protection at all times. The rules of war prohibit the unlawful targeting of civilians, attacks on schools or hospitals, the use, recruitment and unlawful detention of children, and the denial of humanitarian assistance. When conflicts break out, these rules need to be respected and those who break them need to be held to account. Enough is enough. Stop attacks on children” UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore

There are several ways to curtail the constant launch of attacks which innocent children are the most vulnerable. The best corrective way is the prevention of conflicts that spark aggression.

Governmental and non-governmental actors are expected to collaborate to ensure that peace reigns.

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We acknowledge today June 4, to remember the pains and suffering of children all over the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. It is a constant reminder of the United Nations commitment to protect children in Nigeria, Lebanon, Egypt, Isreal, Chad, and throughout the world.

By:
Onyinye Okeke and Nchedo Akabogu