World Children's Day

World Children’s Day is celebrated on the 20th of November every year. It aims to enhance children’s well-being and to unite all to reach the day when children gain protection and psychological and emotional stability in all countries of the world. Since the child is the first seed for society, and obtaining a mature, fruitful seed is a goal for civilized societies, many have sought to sanctify this day and give it its importance.

What is World Children’s Day?

The United Nations General Assembly declared November 20, 1954, World Children’s Day. [1] In it, they highlighted the need to take care of children as an important part of society and as fuel for building a bright future. This date was adopted for signing the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989, which recognized many rights for children around the world. Therefore, most countries celebrate this day and hold many different activities and celebrations.

Convention on the Rights of the Child

The Convention was signed by 192 countries and ratified by most countries. The Convention considers that for a child to grow up fully and soundly, he must be in a healthy environment full of happiness and understanding. In addition to raising him on ideals and teaching him love, tolerance, and respect for others. And many more objectives like:

A child is every human being under the age of eighteen.
Every child has an inherent right to live.
Protection of the child from all forms of discrimination, regardless of the child’s race, parents, color, race, and religion.
The child is guaranteed the freedom to form and express his thoughts in all matters that concern him. [2]

The Importance of World Children’s Day and The Activities Held In It

This day constitutes a necessary event to draw the world’s attention to the necessity of providing all the necessities of life for children. And that each of them has basic rights that everyone should be aware of. In addition, it is a special and unique day, and as described by the United Nations, “a fun day with a serious message.” It contains many entertaining activities for children. Markets and malls offer discounts on baby products and free tickets to cinemas and parks. Many events are held in schools and parents and teachers meet. Thus, the child feels his importance as a small individual growing up in a loving community.

Challenges and Difficulties Facing Children In The World

Many children in the world live under physical and psychological pressures that affect their being and lead to wrong development. The statistics showed that:

103 million children in the Horn of Africa suffer from malnutrition and poverty, according to UNICEF.
According to the United Nations, as of 2002, there were 22 million homeless children around the world.
93% of children under the age of 15 breathe polluted air which puts their health at risk. In addition, 600,000 children died in 2016 due to respiratory infections, according to the United Nations. [3]

Many other studied and unstudied statistics confirm that many of the world’s children are exposed to many risks.

Celebrations of World Children’s Day Around The World

Many countries are preparing to celebrate as famous buildings are lit up in blue, which is their official emblem. This day is an official holiday in many countries. UNICEF holds challenges and competitions and asks to imagine and paint the world after the Corona pandemic. Here are some facts about this day:

World Children’s Day is a public holiday in some places such as Turkey and Argentina.
This day is celebrated in India on the 14th of November. It is the birthday of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who loved children very much.
A whole children’s week is celebrated in Australia.
Instead of celebrating International Children’s Day, France celebrates Family Day on January 6th. [4]

World Children’s Day is a special date for child care and an affirmation of the importance of children’s rights and requirements, and we can all celebrate with our children and make them happy and do the activities they love together.