It's no lie that the voice of the child matters now more than ever. With the world at a point at which every voice must be heard, it's no wonder that the youth are fighting for a chance to have their say. Every day, we are seeing young people standing up for the things they believe in. Take for instance the likes of Greta Thunberg who is an activist against climate change and organizations such as Fridays for Future among many others. These are the results of young people who were willing to say what they had to say.
20th of November -- does that ring a bell? It should. On that day every year across the globe, World Children's Day is celebrated!
"World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children." – UNICEF.
On this day several children and adults alike around the world celebrate the rights of the child. This year, the Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC) celebrates 30 years making this year's event extra special.
I thought that it would be fun if everybody could participate. In this regard, I encourage everyone to learn a thing or two about the rights of a child. But first, we must define a child. The other day, I conducted a poll and asked people what they thought it meant to be a child. These are some of the answers that I got: (Question: What does it mean to be a child?)
"Fun and Freedom"
"A person whose goal is to change the world"
"A person in the initial stages of discovering who they are"
"It means being innocent (not necessarily ignorant) to the harsh truths of the world"
These are only a few among several other answers that I received. Within these answers, different people have found truth in what it means to be a child. The basic definition of a child is an individual who is below the age of eighteen (18) years. This, though, does not make any of the above answers any less true. In fact, they go hand in hand. Childhood is supposed to be a time for growth; a time that we can allow ourselves to dream and a time that we are meant to enjoy.
Everyone needs to understand that they have rights, especially any child living in the 21st Century. Knowledge is power. Knowing your rights means that they cannot be violated. You can check out UNICEF's website right here and learn some of the rights of a child. It is always good to share knowledge. Therefore, whatever you learn, don't forget to tell all your friends and family about.
If you're a child and you think you have a story tell well then go ahead. Maybe you like acting, public speaking, writing or even singing. My advice to you: tell your story . . . YOUR way. Have a voice. Don't just be an echo in the background. Don't be afraid. Start now! One of my all-time favourite quotes is: Never fear 'starting'; fear never starting.
With this in mind, do the things that you love. You won't always be a child. This reminds me of the Swahili proverb that says 'Ujana ni moshi; ukienda haurudi' which would directly translate to 'Youth is like smoke; when it goes, it never returns.' Now, more than ever, your voice counts. Take your chances.
Another thing that you should know is that being a child also means being supportive of others. Don't forget, you're not the only one with a voice. Even as you try to be heard, don't ever silence the voices of others. What you should be doing is standing right by their side cheering them on.
The voice of the child needs to be heard. And the best part is that every little change starts with you. Don't take your voice for granted. Use it and speak your truth.
I hope you guys enjoyed this blog post. Feel free to comment and share. And don't forget to subscribe to my Newsletter. As always: be happy, stay happy.
Oh . . . I almost forgot, have a great World Children's Day! Don't forget to wear your favourite blue shirt. 💙
