Children

Too many babies die in South Africa according to the report, ‘Saving Babies 2003-2005′, conducted by the Medical Research Council (MRC). MRC’s study revealed that, “every year almost 23,000 South African babies die in their first month of life, yet one in five of these deaths could be avoided with better education, and relatively inexpensive and easily implemented changes in healthcare.” In the last two years little has been done to improve the situation, therefore one can only hope that with the results of the report, prenatal and postnatal education will be increased, and the infant mortality rate will begin to decline.

In Bangladesh, over 4,000 primary schools have been closed by floods. Sever flooding has effected many countries this year, and Bangladesh, like all other flood ravished countries, are now struggling to ensure that children have access to an education. When schools, especially in rural areas, are closed, children have little recourse to seek alternative educational options. Many schools remain partially underwater, leaving stagnate waters that would place children at risk of disease and drowning are large factors in the prevention of access to schools. “There has been a 20 percent drop in attendance.”, however local governments and aid agencies are searching for interim solutions, in addition to more sustainable options when repairs and rebuilding begins.

In Guinea the Cholera epidemic is multiplying despite intense efforts to curb the disease. “Almost 1,800 people have been affected by a cholera outbreak in Guinea which has caused 67 deaths, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Conakry.”

Millennium celebrations to target malaria control to begin in Ethiopia on the 12th of September. Celebrations will begin with the 20 million treated mosquito bed nets being delivered to families free of charge. The use of such nets, can dramatically reduce malaria, when used correctly and regularly, with replacements as needed. “Malaria is responsible for 40 percent of an estimated 344,000 deaths among children under five years.”

In Yemen a parents worst nightmare may come when they realize that they have no choice at all but to put their child onto the street to work, to support the family. Peddling various wares on the street, child labors, some as young as four, in Yemen can hardly be missed, nor can one continue to ignore their plight. Children work in both rural and urban areas, the majority of which work in agriculture without compensation. And while it is against the law to employee children into acts of labor, the Child Rights Law, has yet to be implemented, aiding in the extreme situation.

Earlier this year Zaid Abdullah, an 11 year old child labor from Yemen, told IRIN, “I live from hand to mouth”…”I have to work to help my elder brothers - who have unfixed jobs as labourers, street vendors or farm helpers - and contribute to providing the family with food”.

Child labor still plagues Yemen, says Children’s Parliament, who have taken great strides to bring the growing problem under the spotlight. Official’s estimate that there are over 400,000, child labors in Yemen. Poverty was noted as the main contributing factor for the increase in child labor, of which is contributed to by rapid population growth, lack of education, war, and natural disasters. The Children’s Parliament, along with other NGOs, has felt that their hands are some what tied on the issue.

The children labor phenomenon in Yemen is increasing and our abilities are very limited, so our efforts will not appear in fighting such problem. We cannot solve such a problem in one day, but we try to do what we can do in our limited abilities,” said Mohammed al-Ansi, a representative of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.

The suggestions and outcomes of the latest session of the Children’s Parliament, concluded that the issue needs more attention and that the support and education of families, was crucial to solving Yemen’s child labor problem.

‘Child labour has also increased the school dropout rate. “There are about two million children out of school,” al-Shami said, adding that most of them will end up illiterate.’

In Yemen a child is only a minor, according to the law, until they are 15 years old, however the law has been sought to be amended to 18, as per international standards, but has yet to be approved.

High unemployment and instability seems to be the key indicating factor of the extreme numbers of child laborers in Yemen, however it is a vicious cycle that will only continue to be felt if the needs of children are not address quickly, and with sustainable solutions. A child forced to work at an early age, once denied an education, then is left with little option for prosperity and stability in the job market as an adult, thus causing the cycle of poverty to continue. Children working on the streets of Yemen, are also at greater risk for abuse, both physically and sexually, and leaves them susceptible to trafficking. The Yemeni government estimates that there are 15,000 street children in the capital city of Sanna, have no families to turn to when their work is done, or their wares are gone. However the problem looks to increase as, “People don’t want to talk about this problem - sometimes not even the government” (Street children at increased risk of sexual abuse).

“Violence begets violence. As child workers are subjected to violence - whether at home or work, they will become aggressive towards society,” al-Shami said (Fears over possibly rising number of child laborers).

With over half of the countries population being children, and almost half of the population living on or below the poverty line, the fight to abolish child labor practices in Yemen, is a long and hard road.

There is no question that Africa is in dire need of good leaders, the question has been asked and we are in search of Africa’s true leaders, but are there any true leaders in Africa?”. Last year the leaders of Africa where put to the test, with the announcement from the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, who is looking for a leader to award the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.

The award is the first of its kind, and will be awarded to a to former African executive Head of State or Government, who ‘has demonstrated excellence in African leadership’. The first of its kind, and of unprecedented scale and scope, the Mo Ibrahim Prize, which is an astonishing $5 million dollars, which is awarded over period of 10 years. In addition the prize will award the winner an additional $200,000 a year for the duration of the recipients life, and an additional $200,000 per year may be awarded in receipt of ‘good causes’ exposed by the recipient, over the course of the ten years. It is interesting to note that the Noble Peace Prize, only awards 1.3 million dollars to recipients. Some may raise concerns over the fact that the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, has placed no controls on how the award money is to be spent. In a country ripe with HIV/AIDS, poverty, child soldiers, and so much more, one can only hope and pray that the money will be used to assist those African’s in need, especially children.

“Nothing, simply nothing, is more important for Africa than good governance” Mo Ibrahim

Leaders in Africa are often infamous for their failure to protect the masses, for greed and corruption, and as one clearly sees when reading any news on the country, that the children are suffering the most from this failed leadership. It was for that reason, that so many praised the announcement of the award last year, hoping it would deter much of the corruption that plagues the continent. Even the least political and worldly of persons can quickly jump in with a list of names of those whom are unworthy of the award, therefore the task of finding a suitable recipient is a task few would desire to take on. The true question appears to be, ’should we essentially be bribing people to be the leaders that they should be?”, the leaders of a fair and just nation, or continent!

For now the question remains, will we see a true leader for this years prize, the winner of the first Mo Ibrahim Prize is to be announced on 22nd October 2007. However even in a continent such as Africa, true leaders have emerged, most notably, Nelson Mandela, who appears to be the forerunner of the prize. For others it may appear that the foundation shouldn’t look to the unlikely leaders in Africa, for a recipient of the prize, but maybe some of the victims of Africa’s worst political struggles…the countless children on the continent who struggle to overcome hardship on a daily basis. Children who where thrust into adulthood at an early age, many of whom accept their fate with pride and strength, leading others down the same path. Children like Nkosi Johnson, Kimmie Weeks, The children leading the Children’s Parliament in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and so many others.

I look forward to hearing your comments on the award, and who you believe is the candidate who fits the bill as Africa’s true leader. Therefore please feel free to begin a discussion of this post’s comment board.

Failing to secure the health and safety of children is unfortunately nothing new in Zimbabwe, however to see the actual figures is shocking, when you see that little progress has been made to save the children in the last decade. In Zimbabwe malnutrition of children is increasing, the increase is due to a number of factors, including the decline in children’s access to appropriate healthcare and continual food shortages. The 2005/06 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), has shown results that little improvement has been made in the country, when compared with the results issued in the 1998-99 Demographic and Health Survey.

Overall the the nourishment of children in the country is considerably higher than in past decades, and with immunizations down to almost 50%, it was 75% in 1999. Stunting, the comparison of a child’s height compared to their age, is prevalent in 29% of children. Stunting is primarily caused by low birth weight and a poor diet, especially during infancy, indicated the overall effects of chronic malnutrition. In addition to other various health concerns, over half, 58%, of Zimbabwean children are anemic and there has been a decrease in healthcare for pregnant women and an increase in home births.

The survey also gathered data on domestic violence in the country, a first for the survey, which revealed that 36% of women aged 15-49 have been the victim of a form of physical violence. Approximately 13% of these woman stated they had stated that violence on them had been carried out by their mothers, stepmothers or mothers-in-law. With survey also showed that around 25% of women surveyed had encountered of a form sexual violence. Domestic and sexual violence, carries an often detrimental, and long-term impact on the health of children.

‘’My dream was to have a bouncing, healthy baby, for that is is what every mother looks forward to but, because of poverty, that has not been possible. I just pray that my little daughter will not die'’ (IRIN)

For now the children of Zimbabwe pray for a time of peace, prosperity and health, a time when children are free to be just that children, free from worry, hunger and suffering. For now an entire new generation of children are left to suffer in the failing state.

Please see my post, Zimbabwe’s Children in Crisis, on July 25, 2007, for more detailed information on the situation of children in Zimbabwe.

The ‘cycle of abuse’, we’ve all heard the phrase a million times, yet I often think we forget what it means. It does not only mean the cycle, or stages, in which abuses are carried out. A child who grows up in an abusive home, is sexually abused, is a victim of trafficking, a child soldier…unfortunately the list of grave injustices against children goes on and on, is never able to escape the cycle of abuse. Therefore a child of abuse is at an increased risk to become an abuser, victim of sexual assault, become socially isolated, turn to drugs and alcohol, and various other form of self destructive behavior or susceptible to varying forms of continued abuse. We, as an international community must work to ensure that all children have been given their right to protection, both to prevent such abuses, and to assist the abused in their recovery. Therefore substantial physical and psychological care must be given to victims.

Pakistan:
50 million Pakistanis suffer from iodine deficiency, and it is severely affecting children in northwest Pakistan. Iodine is essential for healthy thyroid function, and iodine deficiency can cause developmental delays, and is the leading cause of mental retardation/learning disability. Iodine deficiency in pregnant woman, may cause infants to be born with with severe mental and neurological impairment, and increases the risk of still births and infant deaths. Other affects of iodine deficiency can be, growth failure, speech and hearing defects. In many countries iodized salt, or the addition of iodine to other foodstuffs, like flour, has resolved the problem. However the campaign for iodized salts has been hindered by many misnomers and fears, as “Some patients refused to use the widely available iodized salt because they were convinced it would reduce fertility.”

China:
As a the world has a watchful eye on China, and parents in the US and Europe debate the value of children’s toys, the spotlight once again falls on Chinese toy factories. A U.S.-based workers’ rights Group finds China toy factory conditions “brutal”, finding labor violations at eight Chinese plants that make toys for big multinationals, and called on the companies to take steps for better standards.

NIGERIA:
Polio down 80 percent with remaining cases blamed on borders , giving more hope that the eradication of polio from the world will come in the not so distant future. As Nigeria has been the most been most endemic country in the world, however coordination with bordering countries continues to remains a weak.

Norway pledges funds to help UN fight female circumcision, pledging $3.4 million USD to the UN, Norway hopes to make considerable strides in the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM). “Genital mutilation is a brutal violation of the basic human rights of women and children,” Norwegian Aid Minister Erik Solheim said in announcing the pledge. “According to the World Health Organization, 6,000 girls are circumcised daily.”

Photo: Heba Aly/IRIN

In the town of Malicounda Bambara, population of around 3,000, a large crowd gathered on 5 August to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the day that the community publicly stated its commitment to abolish female genital mutilation (FGM). The declaration, which was officially made on July 31, 1997, made headlines around the world, however fears run heavy for some as stories of FGM continue a decade later.

As one woman told IRIN, “They haven’t really abandoned the practice,” she said of the women of Malicounda Bambara. “The same women who are publicly declaring it has been abandoned are continuing to cut,” she said. The woman told IRIN that a young girl was circumcised in the village only one week before the anniversary celebrations. ‘IRIN also spoke to 14-year-old Mariama Ba who said she had been circumcised in Malicounda just four years ago.’ Some in the international NGO community note that these abuses of FGM are hideous crimes, and see the ban as a failure. Others note that any decrease in FGM is a step forward, and that much of the FGM that continues, occurs from outside influences and those who are committed to the abolishment of FGM remain as such. Regardless of your stance on the issue, it is one that is not easily won, and a full abolition of FGM will be a long time in the making.

FGM can be the partial or full removal of the external genitalia. FGM can often be fatal, especially when done in none sanitary condition, and/or by non-medically trained persons, which can often cause excessive bleeding, transmission of disease, or shock. The complications and long term effects of FGM, can include; pain, infertility, difficulties in child birth, trouble with menstruation or urination, problems and extreme pain with intercourse, lack of sexual desire, no sexual stimulation, and mental illness.

The law against FGM in Senegal specifies it is a criminal offense, resulting in imprisonment for 6 months to 5 years, and while the law is a positive step in the right direction, some have criticized the law as they believe programs to educate on the dangers of FGM, should have been more widespread prior to its implementation. Since July 1997, approximately 708 villages in Senegal have banned FGM, there is an estimated 5,500 villages in the country that continue to practiced FGM according to the US Department of State.2001 US State Department Report on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)/Female Genital Cutting (FGC) in Senegal.

While laws are a great step in the right direction to ending the practice of FGM once and for all, the banning of the practice alone is not enough to ensure the practice is abolished. Governments and NGO’s must work together with community leaders, on all levels, to see that the entire community is adequately educated on the full facts of FGM, and the long term effects it has on a girls mental and physical health. The case in Malicounda Bambara, Senegal only illustrates the increasing need to both educate communities and promote legislation to ban and criminalize FGM.

Links:
Female Genital Mutilation – The Facts
Giving up on FGM: why a village midwife put down her scalpel
World Health Organization (WHO) - Female Genital Mutilation
Razor’s Edge: The Controversy of Female Genital Mutilation
CHANGING A HARMFUL SOCIAL CONVENTION: FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION/CUTTING
USAID: A Tradition No Longer: Rethinking Female Circumcision in Africa
US Department of State: Senegal: Report on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or Female Genital Cutting (FGC)
Tostan
Stop FMG/C

The practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is not reserved to the Middle East and Africa, as the law enforcement in the UK has discovered the hard way. Female genital mutilation is on the rise in Britain, as Scotland Yard estimates that up to 66,000 girls, 74,000 according to the woman’s rights group Forward, in Great Britain are at risk.

FGM has been a criminal offense in the United Kingdom since 1985, with the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act. In 2003 England, Wales and Northern Ireland, repealed and then re-enacted the 1985 Act, replacing it with the Female Genital Mutilation Act, which increased the maximum penalty for FGM from 5 years to 14 years. Unfortunately, there have been no prosecutions, just a change in the law itself. Thus the fight is not over, to rid the UK of FGM, it has only just begun, and the lack of prosecutions leaves many to question if it will ever end. To show they are stepping up their efforts and taking it more seriously, “police are offering a $40,000 reward for information leading to Britain’s first prosecution for female genital mutilation”.

‘They say this “extreme child abuse is illegal and won’t be tolerated.” Yet, it’s been illegal since 1985, and no one has yet been prosecuted for it.’ (Mutilated Girls; U.K.’s Ignored Secret)

Despite the law, and the lack of prosecutions, there has been an increase of girls presenting FGM related issues in NHS facilities. Many believe that FGM is only being pushed farther underground, and causing some to try and avoid the law by sending girls overseas to undergo the practice. While it is mostly found in first generation Britons, some fear that they will only continue see the practice rise, despite decreases over the years immigration in the UK remains high. Therefore prosecutions of those involved in the practice of FGM are essential in showing that Brittan will not tolerate such an inhuman practice against girls.

UNICEF UK, stated in a position paper, that it “supports the Female Genital Mutilation Bill but also stresses the need for the Government to invest more energy into exploring the reasons why there have been no prosecutions for FGM, and to address culturally sensitive, educative approaches for the eradication of this gross breach of the rights of young girls.”

Not only must the UK address the issues as stated by UNICEF, but it must address the fact that it is increasingly difficult to identify which children in the UK are at risk for FGM. As in any heavily diverse and culturally mixed community, risk factors are often easily over looked, and it is heightened by the sheer length in which a girl may remain at risk for FGM. As FGM is not just a practice that occurs in infancy, but can occur at anytime from birth through adolescence.

Shortly after the announcement of the reward money, a 36 year old woman was arrested on suspicion of trying to arrange a FGM proceedure. The woman has since been bailed, but is due in court on September 6, 2007, and while her fate is unknown girls in the UK continue to remain at risk. Therefore it looks to take much more than an increase in penalty of the law, and reward money, to eradicate FGM under the Queens Crown.

Links:
British Medical Association (BMA): Female genital mutilation - caring for patients and child protection
Blog: Female Genital Mutilation Taking Place In Britain, Are Police Afraid To Stop It?