By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, Cameroon – Every day, children living in wars across the globe are facing unspeakable horrors. They are not safe sleeping in their homes or playing outside, learning in school or seeking medical care at hospitals.
From killing and maiming, abduction and sexual violence, to attacks on education and health facilities, and the denial of the humanitarian assistance that they desperately need, children are being caught in the crosshairs of warring parties at a staggering scale.
Every year on June 4th, the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression acknowledges the pain that children around the world suffer. Many of these children are victims of physical, mental, and emotional abuse.
Escalating violence forced many Cameroonians to flee their homes, resulting in 1.1 million people displaced within the country by the year’s end, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council
The crisis erupted in 2016 when the government suppressed protests in the English-speaking North West and South West. More than 6,000 people have been killed in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions since.
Hundreds of villages have been set ablaze. Hospitals have been attacked. Health workers fear being abducted or killed. Over 780,000 children have seen their schools close and thousands of people, currently hiding in the bushes, have received no humanitarian relief.
Ending and preventing grave violations against children is central to the mandate on children and armed conflict. The most effective way to protect children from hostilities is to eliminate the push and pull factors that lead to their involvement in armed conflict.
According the recent statistics, 536 million children live in countries affected by conflict or disasters. About 50 million children have been displaced from their homes. When these children get displaced, it increases their vulnerability to violence and exploitation. This is largely because these children become orphans or are separated from their families.
Children are the most vulnerable members of our society, and the impact of aggression on their lives is devastating. Armed conflict, violence, and exploitation rob children of their innocence, disrupt their development, and leave lasting scars on their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. It is our collective responsibility to protect children from aggression and create a world where they can grow, learn, and thrive in safety and security.
The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression serves as a crucial reminder that children should never be subjected to violence or aggression. It calls upon governments, policymakers, communities, and individuals to prioritize the well-being and rights of children and to take concrete actions to prevent and address aggression against them.
By supporting children affected by aggression, we can help restore their sense of security, provide them with opportunities for education and personal growth, and empower them to overcome the trauma they have experienced. Every child deserves to live a life free from fear, violence, and exploitation.
