Apathy is the one thing that empowers the abusers of human rights in this world. They rely on the fact that people will turn a blind eye if they think something won’t directly affect them. Well why not make sure there isn’t a risk of
it affecting those who you care about now and in the future too? I don't usually write advice about events in the news, and the world in general, however I am always fired up about this topic.
Slavery – more people are now enslaved per capita than ever before in history.
Forced Labour: Workers are forced into labour under threat of violence, such as beating, rape or death. Even when workers comply, they are still at risk and they are often attacked, raped and murdered.
Bonded Labour: Someone is forced to work, to repay a debt, or money paid in advance. In some cases people are born into bonded labour supposedly repaying a family debt. This practice is illegal in many countries, and often people work in poor conditions that violate their human rights.
Child Labour: According to UNICEF article I read last year, an estimated 218 million children aged 5-17 are engaged in child labour; excluding domestic labour. Many of these children are working in dangerous situations, affecting their health and development. Some are forced into pornography, paedophilia, prostitution, and are victims of trafficking.
Human Trafficking: The movement of people from one place to another – often by deceitful means. This is often for purposes of slavery, sexual exploitation, and includes the trade of babies for adoption. Human Trafficking is one of the 3rd most profitable criminal trades in the world, after drug smuggling and gun running.
Child Abuse – We are adults, it is our duty to protect ALL children from this.
Neglect: This can be the failure to provide basic necessities, for example: Adequate care; safe environment, appropriate shelter, nutritional food, educational opportunities medical care, and emotional support, are some examples. It also includes failure to leave a child in the supervision of safe adults, and abandonment.
Violence: Children are suffering from violent attacks, either from their parents, or other trusted adults. Violence breeds violence, unfortunately it is often victims who become perpetrators – this is no excuse. There is NO acceptable excuse for physical violence against a child. (This is violence above and beyond a general tap or smack for misbehaving).
Sexual Abuse: This is any sort of inappropriate talk, touching or intercourse with an underage child. For some reason people are overtly concerned with stranger danger, and have a preconceived idea of what a paedophile looks like. The terrible truth is that these sick people look like someone you know - literally! In 90% of cases that are reported, the perpetrator is known to the victim, and is often a relative or trusted person known by the family.
Acknowledge that these things exist in our society; be aware that they are far more prevalent than you think. Open your eyes, your heart and your mouth; speak up for those that can't do so for themselves. Don’t be complacent, if you think something is wrong, do something about it, observe, investigate, seek advice and report wrong doings. Say NO to offenses against human rights - especially against children, lobby your local government, access the websites, donate your time, knowledge, resources or money – take ACTION, it cures APATHY, and it saves lives.
It is never too soon to start creating a world that you would want to live in!
Luisa Foliaki - Mother of MicroMe
(March 6th) (
