International Children’s Day

What is International Children’s Day?

This day is to ensure children’s wellbeing and welfare all around the world and celebrate young people. There are more than 150 million orphans worldwide, who are a young and vulnerable group in need of protection. While there are laws and policies protecting children, orphans often have difficult childhoods without support from parents or family.

There are often events or speeches about children to mark this day. Children are the future, which means they should be prepared to make a difference in the world, but they cannot do this without primary support and guidance first. They should receive education, healthcare and other essentials to support them in their youth.

This day is also used to celebrate children’s rights and laws that protect children, like the Children Act 1989, the Education Act 2002 and the Equality Act 2010.

When is International Children’s Day?

International Children’s Day, also known as World Children’s Day, is celebrated on November 20^th every year. This day marks the anniversary of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, which came into effect in 1989.

Children’s Rights

Today, children are protected by a number of laws and policies, which ensure their welfare. For example, the Children Act 1989, which was amended to become the Children Act 2004. This legislation outlines that a child must be looked after properly, to keep them healthy and happy. Another piece of legislation is the Equality Act 2010, which prevents discrimination against a person’s protected characteristics, including age, which protects children.

However, even though there are such pieces of legislation to protect children, one billion children experience some form of violence every year, whether it be physical, emotional, or sexual violence. Concerningly, one child dies from violence every seven minutes according to the United Nations.

What to do this International Children’s Day

This international Children’s Day, you can get involved in a range of activities and events that celebrate children. You can also donate to charities who can support children around the world. Muslim Aid works to support orphans and children who are in need of help and can do so with your donations.

During the pandemic, many children lost one or both of their parents to Covid-19, making them even more at risk and vulnerable. This is why your donations to support children are more needed than ever before.

Donate to Muslim Aid

Here at Muslim Aid, we believe children are the key to stronger, brighter futures, and should therefore be guided and well-cared for. There are millions of orphans and children worldwide who do not have a safe, healthy and happy childhood, but you can change this. Your donation could provide them with education, food, shelter and other forms of support.

Over the last 14 years, Muslim Aid has worked to provide almost 50,000 children with access to education around the world. However, many children still need support.

Sponsor a child this International Children’s Day, to provide them with early learning opportunities, training and assistance for their families to generate an income, access to clean water, healthcare and education.