Protests in Yemen put children at high risk - Save the Children
The Source: SANA'A/hadhramaut.info/sabanews.net - 28/03/2011
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Save the Children expressed on Monday concerns about the numbers of children coming out in the protests throughout Yemen.
In a press release issued by the organization, Save the Children said as "civil unrest" in cities across Yemen continues, children in Yemen are now extremely vulnerable, pointing to the children being killed and injured in clashes during protests.
Regarding the large number of children partaking in the demonstrations, the organization said that children's school attendance has also been disrupted.
Thus, the organization "is alarmed by the large number of children not being able to attend school, and that children's right to education is being violated and their welfare is being put at risk", according to the press release.Children have the right to education at all times, including during times of civil unrest, and schools are responsible for providing a protective and safe environment for children. However, there have also been reports from Aden governorate that schools have been closed and children have been told to go out and protest.
During these turbulent times, Children and their families must have a safe place to stay, be allowed and be able to go out both for basic commodities as well as to play.
The press release pointed to the many challenges Yemeni children, who make up nearly half of the population, are already facing, including low birth registration rate, low school enrolment rate and early marriage.Hence, Save the Children urges all involved parties to protect children from being manipulated towards the achievement of political goals and take positive action towards children's safe attendance at school and their right to live and develop.Save the Children has been in Yemen since 1963 and has been working on getting more girls and vulnerable children into schooling, supporting communities in creating child protection systems and supporting youth organizations and informing them of their rights.It is one of the biggest international non-governmental organizations in the country and has more than 200 staff members working across the country.Save the Children has responded to the emergency in Yemen since August 2009 and worked to have a child lead disaster reduction program in emergencies and to help all children affected by conflict or in conflict areas to have access to protection mechanisms, quality education, health services and nutrition during emergencies.
Save the Children's vision is a world, in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation
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