Bridging the Gap and Crossing the Bridge

Yasmine Sherif, Director of Education Cannot WaitBy Yasmine SherifNEW YORK, Jul 9 2021 (IPS) It may be a challenge, but it is also an absolute necessity: bridging the gap between international law and reality and quickly crossing the bridge to reach all crisis-affected children and youth left furthest behind. Inclusive and equitable quality education is the right of every girl and boy and the objective of Sustainable Development Goal 4. Yasmine SherifIn fact, there are multiple challenges to overcome: in 2020, in countries of emergencies and protracted crisis – further hit by COVID-19 – the United Nations also registered more than 19,000 grave violations against children, according to the UN Secretary-General’s Report on Children in Armed Conflict, dated 22 May. This crucial issue was further addressed in the subsequent UN Security Council open debate meeting on 28 June 2021. These grave violations include: the killing and maiming of children and youth; abduction of girls and boys; attacks against schools, their students and teachers; recruitment and use of children as soldiers; widespread sexual violence; and, the denial of access to schools for children and youth. Despite this, on 5 July, another 150 students were reportedly abducted from a school in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Abductions, attacks against schools and schoolchildren appear to be increasing in frequency and they must end now. We join our strategic partners in calling for the safe, swift return of th...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Armed Conflicts Climate Change Crime & Justice Development & Aid Education Education Cannot Wait. Future of Education is here Gender Violence Global Headlines Health Human Rights Humanitarian Emergencies Inequity Migration & Refu Source Type: news