The problem
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), children have the right to protection from harm. The UNCRC is the most extensively ratified human rights treaty in history; still the fundamental rights of children throughout the world continue to be uncared for.
As per UNICEF estimates, 300 million children globally are subjected to violence, abuse, and exploitation every day. Millions more remain at peril due to insufficient safety and protection.
- Upwards of 200 million children worldwide are affianced in child labour.
- Approximately 300,000 child soldiers are drawn in in armed conflicts throughout the globe.
- More than one million children worldwide enter the sex industry each year.
Child labour
Recent worldwide estimates indicate that 168 million children aged 5 to 17 are engaged in child labour. Approximately 120 million among them are below the age of 14, while a further 30 million children in this age group (for the most part girls) perform household chores at their own homes. Adding up, millions of children who suffer other most awful forms of child labour, including slavery and damaging practices such as forced labour, child soldiering, sexual exploitation, or are used by adults in illicit activities like drug trafficking.
There has been a consistent decline in child labour, but still the progress is far too sluggish. At current rates, more than 100 million children will still be entrapped in the clutches of child labour by 2020. Child labour spreads across various sectors notably, agriculture, quarrying and mining, and domestic service to name a few. Often, it is veiled from the public eye. Child labour is the collective result of several factors, such as poverty, societal norms, lack of respectable work opportunities for adults and adolescents, contingencies and migration.
Child Abuse and sexual exploitation
Girls and boys can be vulnerable and at risk of sexual abuse and exploitation be it in their homes, schools, workplaces or local communities. Steps must be taken to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation. Sexually abused children are in the need immediate assistance to end such abuse.
Children can become vulnerable to trafficking where safety for children is weak or non-existant. The government, civil society, community and families are accountable for preventing trafficking, as well as providing succor to children who are victims of abuse to reintegrate into their families and communities.
Each and every child has a right to suitable information apt for his age, to be heard and to take part in making decisions that involve them. Once this right is fulfilled, it empowers and equips children to take a more pro-active role in their own protection against such abuse, violence and exploitation.
Child Protection
We believe that every child should have the opportunity to grow up in a secure environment with a feeling of belongingness. If a family is unable to care for the child, we should take steps to address the reasons and make every endeavour to keep the family as one.
It is every child’s right to have a name and nationality. When we register a child’s birth, we help to make certain a child’s right to education, health care and socio-legal support and services. Birth registration is a critical step towards protection from abuse and exploitation.
Young children be it girls or boys, must be sheltered from all forms of violence and abuse. This includes physical, sexual and emotional exploitation or abuse, neglect and other damaging and dangerous practices such as child marriage and genital mutilation. Families, communities and authorities are collectively responsible for ensuring this protection.
Children must not be allowed to do any work that is hazardous. Work should not stop them from attending school or getting educated. Children should be protected at all costs from the worst manifestations of child labour, such as slavery, bonded labour, sexual exploitation, drug dealing or trafficking.
What do we do?
To create long term change where children are protected and valued in the future we:
- Work to give power to children to protect themselves, to be aware of potential risks and know where to seek help and protection
- help families in making homes safe so that no children become victims of abuse
- work in tandem with schools and teachers to create an environment that is child-friendly, safe and free from violence
- provide pressing needs of security and a safe haven
- connect with community leaders and officials to develop a suitable community-based child protection machinery within the communities
- support strategies and programs to provide alternative and supplemental income to families.
- Provide access to nurseries and quality education.
- Work to make our systems sensitive towards children.
Abarila Foundation is responding to this need to save these vulnerable children from harm, helping them look forward to a brighter and better future.
How can you help?
Generous contributions from people like you will make it possible for us to sustain and promote our child protection programs and so much more. We urge you to support our mission and work around the globe by donating to our Foundation. You can rest assured that your contribution is in the right hands and will only be used for helping vulnerable children get what they need the most.
Donate Now!
