Every child deserves safety: Week Seven’s topic - #putchildrenfirst

War. Natural disasters. Exploitation. Violence. As we will explore this week for Put Children First, there are many things that threaten children’s safety and their ability to lead a normal, peaceful life. 23% of kids in the least developed countries have to participate in child labour, some in hazardous conditions that can cause serious health dangers.

Girls who are married young – 34% of girls worldwide are married by 18 – have difficulty protecting themselves against violence or abuse and making their own decisions about childbearing.

Tens of thousands of children are forced to participate in conflict, one of the worst forms of child exploitation. Many more are affected in other ways by war, fleeing their homes or experiencing the loss of a loved one.

These children need help finding their way out of dangerous situations and, if they have gone through trauma, also need counselling and psychological support. They need a calm, caring environment so that they can recover from their experiences. And they need the international community to pay attention to their plight and leave no child alone.

For more of our Put Children First campaign, please follow our Twitter and Facebook. Keep others in the loop by using the hashtag #putchildrenfirst!

Canadian's wishing to support SOS Children's Villages are encouraged to sponsor a child, sponsor a village or to make a direct donation. Your support ensures that SOS Children's Villages can continue to provide a safe and loving home to orphan and abandoned children worldwide.