Violence-free environments through the eyes of children
International Children's Day is a day to celebrate everything that has been achieved, but it is also a way to remember what still needs to be done so that all children and adolescents, without distinction, can enjoy their rights.
In recent decades, great achievements have been made worldwide, such as the "right to essential services" in relation to nutrition and access to drinking water, thanks to which child mortality has been reduced by more than half, as well as an education that has made it possible to break the cycle of poverty.
However, the world remains a very unjust and dangerous place for millions of girls, boys and adolescents who face a life of lack of opportunities and the risk of suffering violence and/or abuse: "right to be safe" and "right to be valued, respected and treated fairly".
One of the greatest challenges for children is violence, as 1 in 2 children has suffered some type of violence at some point in their life. In our municipality, it is also a challenge; protecting children from violence is everyone's responsibility. The damage caused by violence against children can affect the child throughout his or her life, and in several dimensions, both cognitive, physical and emotional. Therefore, it is essential to arrive before such damage occurs.
International Children's Day is a day of action for, with and by children and adolescents. A day to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), on 20th November, this time focused on promoting a commitment by everyone, so that children and adolescents live in safe and protective environments free of violence.
It is also a day to advance the commitment to ensure that children and adolescents participate and play, so we must not forget the "right to be a child" and the importance of the "right to be listened to" and the objective of this day is to hear the voice of children and adolescents louder than ever.