November 20 marks World Children’s Day, a day meant to celebrate and advocate for the well-being of children worldwide. However, this year, amidst the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, the day serves as a poignant reminder of the silent victims caught in the crossfire of war.
Conflict and Children
War leaves more than just physical destruction; it disrupts the very fabric of childhood for millions. Recent conflicts in densely populated urban areas have disproportionately affected children, displacing nearly 36.5 million young lives by the end of 2021, the highest number recorded since World War II, according to the UN International Children's Emergency Fund. These figures do not account for those displaced by climate disasters or those who have fled between 2022 and 2023.
A study from 2017 reveals a troubling trend: approximately 630 million women and children, representing 10 percent of women and 16 percent of children globally, were either displaced by conflict or lived perilously close to conflict zones. Shockingly, nearly half a billion children, about one in six worldwide, are growing up in regions marred by political violence or armed conflict.
Psychological Scars of Conflict
The relentless exposure to war induces a state of \"toxic stress\" in children, particularly in regions like Gaza, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Ukraine. These young minds are subjected to bombings, starvation, the loss of loved ones, and the destruction of essential infrastructures such as schools and hospitals. The uncertainty of each passing day, witnessing the horrors of war, bloodshed, and devastation, has a profound and lasting impact on their mental and emotional well-being.
The trauma endured by these children extends far beyond their immediate circumstances. It affects their ability to learn, form healthy relationships, and envision a stable future. The scars left by such conflicts can shape their entire lives, often robbing them of their innocence and hope.
As the world observes World Children’s Day, it is crucial to acknowledge and address the psychological wounds inflicted by ongoing conflicts. Providing support, resources, and safe environments for these children is essential in helping them heal and rebuild their lives.
Reference(s):
Psychological wounds: The lasting trauma of conflict in children
cgtn.com
