Finding Solace in The Colors in Children's Eyes

 

    

https://stock.adobe.com/ph/search?k=filipino+children

    "Hindi 'yan abuso, disiplina nila yan," I hear people say when I voice out my opinions on child abuse. If it's perceived as discipline, well—at what cost? Through the passing years, we've seen more hits from hands, rather than warmth from hugs. 

    The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) estimates that three out of five Filipino children experience violent discipline. On a larger scale, of the 33.4 million children aged 1 to 14, approximately 20 million (59 percent) have experienced violent discipline in the past month. Despite various efforts to curb this menace, the prevalence of physical, emotional, and sexual violence against children in the Philippines continues to alarm child rights advocates and policymakers.

    

https://ncbaptist.org/article/5-ways-to-guard-against-child-abuse-in-your-church/

    No, child abuse is not just a phenomenon in the Philippines whereas abusers can get away with their inhumane acts, it's a global issue. When I say the cases of violence against children is just as distressing as climate change, mindful people who have basic human empathy would agree with me. Asian, african, western, male, female—every child out there in the world deserves a safe place where they can radiate the sun rays in their smiles and the colors of their hearts. 

    Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet—children live to see these colors existing within the beauty of our world. If we can sniff red roses, look at the orange sunset, decorate delicious cake with yellow frosting, appreciate the green leaves where our tea comes from, swim in the refreshing blue water of the sea, stain our fingers with the fruity indigo blueberries we eat, and resort to the energetic aura of violet amethyst crystals—then why can't the bearers of our future experience these too? 

https://stock.adobe.com/ph/search?k=filipino+children&asset_id=780109411

    As we enter another epoch of National Children's Month, we welcome empowerment and diversity in children's safety and wellbeing. I'm truly amazed by how people like me conduct campaigns for the Violence Against Women and Children advocacy. Every year we unleash a celebration of the youth, we flip another page of a coloring book we embroider with care. In line with this wondrous global honoring, we continue to strengthen the bond of children with life—a life that every bright kid has a right to. 

    Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. "Napaka-saya maging bata, 'no? The genuineness in their smiles never fail to sooth my heart," I say to myself to this day. It's not just child abuse—it's the murder of little souls' colors. 


Sources:

https://www.pna.gov.ph/opinion/pieces/893-stop-violence-against-children


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