The next two days are devoted to the well-being of our future – children. Today is the World Day for Prevention of Abuse and Violence Against Children, which is November 19th.
World Day for Prevention of Abuse and Violence Against Children was launched in 2000 by the Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF) in Switzerland with a coalition of international groups advocating for women’s and children’s issues.
It’s hard to believe that people would inflict harm on a child, but unfortunately it happens far too often. And many times, it’s inflicted by the very people who are supposed to be their protectors – their parents.
Whether it’s neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, the trauma that children who suffer violence lasts a lifetime and can lead to the abused becoming an abuser later in life.
Coming on the heels of World Day for the Prevention of Abuse and Violence Against Children is Universal Children’s Day. It has been celebrated every November 20th since 1954 as a day to acknowledge that children have a right to access health care and education and be protected from violence and discrimination.
Unfortunately, Premier Doug Ford has made deep cuts and devastating changes to education, the Ontario Autism Program and programs for at-risk youth. This government has also axed the Ontario Child Advocate’s Office, which means the province’s most vulnerable children have lost an independent office that will fight for their rights.
Show your support for children’s rights on Universal Children’s Day by wearing blue and demanding that the Ford government reverse its cuts and invest in children. And let us all do our part every day to be protectors of children and help keep them safe from violence and abuse.
In solidarity,
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President
Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida, First Vice-President/Treasurer