International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression 2020

4th June of every year is seen as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. The United Nations sees this day in recognition of the suffering experienced by children all around the world. It highlights the physical, mental and emotional suffering of the children due to violence and unsettling conditions in the world. This day is basically an affirmation to the UN's commitment towards the protection of child rights. According to the WHO report (2019), 1 billion children aged 2–17 years are victims of physical, sexual, or emotional violence or neglect in the past year. Hence, the importance of this day is even more with this regard.

History of this day:
On 19 August 1982, at its Special Emergency Session on the question of Palestine, the General Assembly took into consideration, the number of innocent Palestinian and Lebanese children victims of Israeli acts of aggression. The assembly decided to commemorate the suffrage of these children on 4th June of every year in the form of the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.

Types of Violence against Children (applicable for every child below the age of 18):

1. Maltreatment - It Includes massive punishments like physical, sexual, and psychological/emotional violence; and abuse of babies, children, and teenagers by parents, caregivers, and other authorities, most frequently at home but also in schools and orphanages.

2. Bullying - It is wanted aggressive behavior by another child or group of children. It can be seen as repeated physical, psychological, or social harm, and often takes place in schools and other settings where children gather, and online (cyberbullying).

3. Sexual violence - It includes any attempt or completion of non-consensual sexual contact and acts of a sexual nature not involving contact. The acts of sexual trafficking and online exploitation also come under sexual violence.

4. Emotional or psychological violence - It includes every action like threats and intimidation, restricting a child’s movements, ridicule, discrimination, rejection, and other non-physical forms of hostile treatment that impacts a child psychologically.

This day not just sees the suffering of children but also day honors millions of people and organizations seeking to protect and safeguard children's rights. In contemporary hard times, it is a sad reality that in some situations children affect children so adversely. This day calls for individuals and organizations around the world to become aware of the effect of the monstrosity of violence, in all its forms, on children. It is also a time that organizations and individuals benefit from or engage in awareness programs to protect children's rights. with this day, we all confirm our commitment towards the protection of child rights

By: Ishika Aggarwal

Content: https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/international-day-of-innocent-children-victims-of-aggression-1527858661-1