International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression 2022 – History, Importance & Key Thoughts

Children make for a quarter of the world’s population and are crucial for the wellbeing of any society. They are also the most vulnerable members of society, who need to be protected and given equal opportunities to lead safe, happy, and successful lives. But, an astounding number of kids are exposed to violence, displacement, and abuse due to conflicts and wars each year. This only proves a dire need to educate everyone about the grave impact any conflict has on kids, and the importance of taking stringent measures. To acknowledge this and protect children’s rights, the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression was established by the United Nations. Continue reading to know more.

When Is International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression Observed?

The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed every year on the 4^th of June.

History of the Day

The day was established on 19^th August, 1982, and commemorated by the United Nations after reports of a shocking number of innocent Lebanese and Palestinian children suffering acts of aggression surfaced during the Lebanon War. The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed to acknowledge the pain child victims suffer due to physical, sexual, emotional, and mental abuse.

Importance of the Day

The day is observed to acknowledge the rights of children all over the world and to protect them from acts of aggression. An overwhelming number of children are exposed to all sorts of abuse – physical, mental, sexual, and emotional, all around the world. They are also recruited in wars in affected areas, and denied humanitarian access to cope and re-establish a safe life with equal opportunities to grow. This day is important for everyone to educate themselves about the effects of all types of aggression on children and acknowledge the scale of devastation it causes to them and to our future.

How Can We Observe International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression?

There are several ways we can observe the day. Reading and understanding the impact of aggression on children and the importance of children’s rights are the foremost things to do. Sharing this knowledge with others through text messages, blogs, etc., proactively can help us highlight the issues many children of the world experience every day. This may also help us protect or save children around us from abusive situations.

One may also donate to children’s welfare drives at institutions and NGOs that work to protect children affected by war and conflicts. Raising funds for these organisations is another way one can contribute to this cause. These funds are needed to rescue children from war-stricken areas, provide refuge and medical aid for rehabilitation, and provide awareness on children as well as human rights.

One can also participate in campaigns run by several organisations and individuals to protect the rights of children. You can share relevant and informative posts, articles, videos, etc., on social media with your friends and family, too. The idea is to reach out to as many people as possible to spread awareness about the issue, and encourage them to take small but effective steps to help the underaged victims of aggression until no child suffers from violence or the effects of violence.

Key Thoughts About International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

Let’s take a quick look at some key thoughts of the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression:

1. A large and astounding number of children are killed in conflicts every year.
2. Millions of children are separated from their families and subjected to abuse in war-stricken areas.
3. Children also suffer from conflicts and violence within their families. The number of fatalities due to violence within the families is equally alarming.
4. 4^th of June is observed as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression to acknowledge the devastation conflicts cause on children.
5. The day was established by United Nations as a commitment to protect children from all sorts of abuse – physical, sexual, mental, and emotional.
6. The day is observed to pay tribute to the children victims of the 1982 Lebanon War.
7. It strongly condemns the effects of war on children, the most vulnerable members of society, and their recruitment into war.
8. The day helps child abuse get global attention and emphasises the rights of the children.
9. The United Nations aims to achieve the milestone of zero violence against children by 2030.
10. They also strive for the creation of a fair and equitable society for children.

Kofi Annan once said, “There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace.” Let’s take one step towards ensuring the children of the world are safe and are given equal opportunities to grow.