This week I chose to learn about the East Asia & Pacific
Region of the world by exploring the UNICEF (United Nations International
Children’s Emergency Fund) website. I chose this region because I am friends
with a family that immigrated from Vietnam and wanted to learn more about the
region. I discovered that the region is home to 25% of all the children in the
world, and 30 million more children are born in the region every year (UNICEF,
2011).
“Across East Asia and the Pacific, vast numbers of children
continue to experience grave violations of their rights and safety. Child
protection is a critical issue in the region and one that is an increasingly
important part of UNICEF’s work. The most common violations include:
- trafficking
- sexual exploitation
- violence, abuse and neglect
- child labour
- child soldiers
- children in institutions
- unlawful detention” (UNICEF, 2011).
Although the issues affect a wide range of children, poverty
plays a key role in what children are affected most. For example, many children
living in poverty in the region are not provided with an education (UNICEF,
2011). Emergency situations, such as natural disasters are another major
problem for the region. “Over 60 percent of the worlds’ disaster victims live
in Asia and the Pacific. This region suffers from the highest losses caused by
natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, typhoons and volcanoes”
(UNICEF, 2011). In emergency situations families may be divided, moved into
shelters, lacking basic physical needs (UNICEF, 2011).
All of these issues can interfere with a child’s healthy
development. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs, humans need their
basic physical needs met first before their emotional needs for love and esteem
can be met. With many children suffering from lack of safe drinking water and
shelter in the East Asia and Pacific Region, their emotional needs are not
being met either.
By exploring the UNICEF website, I learned about some of the
things that the organization is doing to try to help children around the world.
For example, trying to partner with businesses and recognizing their role in a
child’s life. “They make important contributions to the well-being of children
by creating jobs and livelihoods for families, as well as in the form of
philanthropic initiatives. At the same time, violations of children’s rights by
companies can threaten children’s protection, survival and development”
(UNICEF, 2011). I also learned about some of the complex issues that many
children face around the world today. It is important to take the time to
explore the issues affecting other parts of the world. I realize that a major
part of the problem is poverty and children living in poverty are affected by
an increase in many risk factors. As an early childhood professional it makes
me want to get involved with a larger organization that is doing something to
help children around the world.
Reference:
McLeod, S. (2014). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Simply
psychology. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
UNICEF (2011). Retrieved from: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/
Hello Mary
ReplyDeleteIt was difficult for me to read some of the things that children are going through in each region. I am more surprised to read that children in Ghana do not have an identity! Wow! This is my first time ever reading something like that. How children are supposed to know who they are? How are they able to relate to other young children without an identify? These are questions that I am asking myself. The only thing I can do is shake my head about the things that these children are going through.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteIt was surprising for me to read how many children live in the East Asia and Pacific Region. To actually have it put into a percentage was interesting. When you look at all of these regions one of the glaring similarity is poverty. It seems that poverty happens everywhere and with poverty comes many other issues. I was saddened to read about how common violence and sexual abuse towards children is in many areas of the world. It is uplifting to know that the UNICEF is working to help children in all of these regions but it seems that much more help is needed.
it is a shame that these issues are reality. I find that most of problems in these countries is a lack of basic needs of the people which tickles down to the children. Organizations such as UNICEF are making progress in helping with making sure the most vulnerable-the children are getting their basic needs met. Educating families and children, repairing the infrastructure of the country, helping families find and keep employment, and supply adequate food and safe drinking water will help diminish poverty.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. I think that it takes a really sick individual to want to traffic a child! i think that looking at this website and seeing some of the issues going on in this part of the world helps me to appreciate that at least in America we set aside time and space for the sacredness of childhood. We understand the necessity in letting children exist in simplicity and innocence. This is one of the things I am proud of America for.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. I did not take into account the effect of natural disasters on a child's development. Natural disasters are a huge stressor on a child's development. They have to face hunger in addition to natural disasters. We are lucky to live in this country but it is a great thing to learn about children in other regions around the world.
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