Children

In a report, Human Rights Agenda for the New Administration, issued this month Human Rights Watch (HRW) highlights four crucial initiatives that the new US president, Obama, should take once he takes office in January: 1. Ensure that US Counter-terrorism Efforts Comply with International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. 2. Make Human Rights a Central Pillar of US […]

Today we honor our country's veterans, for it was in 1918, at the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, that the fighting ceased in World War I with the German signing of the Armistice. Initially the day was known as Armistice Day, for which it remains known in many European countries. […]

Why is the promotion of breastfeeding, and the work that organizations like Mercy Corps are doing, so important? The first two years in a child's life are vital to that of healthy development into adulthood. After the age of two much of a child's life is already permanently imprinted upon them. Children who spend their […]

Since the dawn of time women of set forth to care for their children, their natural source of sustenance for their infants, breastmilk. However natural breastfeeding may be, the rate of woman breastfeeding in some countries is significantly low, as seen in the previous post, Is Breastfeeding heading for extinction in the Philippines?, which is […]

In times of war everyone becomes a victim, however children suffer more than anyone, and girls face an even graver fate than their male counter parts. Sexual Violence against girls is heightened in times of war, the degree of violence deepened. The Democratic Republic of Congo is no exception; in fact the DRC may truly […]

"The commercial sexual exploitation and abuse of children is nothing less than a form of terrorism — one whose wanton destruction of young lives and futures must not be tolerated for another year, another day, another hour." – Carol Bellamy, Former Director of the United States Peace Corps, Executive Director of UNICEF, and President and […]

Yesterday I wrote on Shari’a law and the stoning death of a 13 year-old rape victim, during the same week this atrocity was carried out in Somalia, reports of anouther underaged execution have been reported in Iran. Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated than an Afghan national, convicted of murder when he was only 17 years old, […]

What is Shari'a law? Shari'a literally translates as "way " or "path to the water source". Shari'a law is derived from the Qur'an (Koran), the Muslim holy book, and Sunna or hadith, which means example and is derived from the sayings and practices of the prophet Muhammad. Therefore Shari'a law is often derived from what […]

The Democratic Republic of Congo once again finds itself embattled in a deep and violent conflict, continuing to have a deep and lasting impact on the countries children. The past two days have seen continual fighting in the east of the country, and fears of ensued violence continue to rise. In recent weeks the conflict […]

In April this year I brought you news of a former slave who put forth a suit against the state of Niger, which can be seen here. The brave plaintiff in the historic case was, Hadijatou Mani, a former slave who was sold into slavery at the age of 12 for a mere $500. Ms. […]

The fragmented country of Somalia is no stranger to conflict and the last two years of fighting are beginning to take a toll on the lives of the countries children. Somalia is quite literally a raging battle ground, as fighting in the country continues, as insurgents exchange fire with the Somali government, Ethiopian troops and […]

"The world ought to be treated like a playful child; whose smiles should delight, whose gambols should amuse, whose tears should soften, whose anger should alarm, whose vices should be corrected" – Unknown If only we did look upon the world as a child, as our global child for which we are all caring parents […]