Prologue
My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the recent horrific, senseless and barbaric murder of innocent school children in Uvalde at the Robb Elementary School. That children in search of knowledge can die in tens should prick our collective conscience politics notwithstanding. The United States of America, especially the authorities, must do better. When is it enough? The time is now. Protect the future!
Focusing on pro-life
It is not enough to simply oppose abortion; pro-life must be about creating equitable opportunities for all children. This requires sound public policies and finances, as well as a commitment to education, proper diet, formal schooling, and housing. African proverbs state that “it takes a village to raise a child.” The pro-life debate must be pragmatic and acknowledge the strains of raising children. We must undertake efforts to build equitable opportunities for all children, irrespective of their nationality, race, or gender. Only then can we truly say that we are pro-life.
A world full of inequalities for children
There are currently over 11.6 million children living in poverty in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau 2020 data, this is approximately 16% of the national population. And while America is one of the richest countries in the world, it ranks lowly for child well-being. The situation is worse in developing countries where malnutrition not only faces children but also the adult population. Find time to browse through the World Hunger Facts to get a significant appreciation of the situation across different regions.
How secure are our children?
The world is increasingly becoming a hostile place for children. The number of school shootings has increased significantly in the past two decades. In 2018, there were 24 school shootings in the United States alone. This is an increase from 18 shootings in 2017 and 16 in 2016. Florida reports the highest number of school shootings with eight incidences. Unfortunately, these school shootings have become so commonplace that they barely make headlines anymore.
In addition to this, child labor remains a big problem across the globe. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), there are 152 million children aged 5-17 years who are in employment. Of these, 73 million are in hazardous work conditions that jeopardize their health, safety, and moral development. Pathetic!
What are the solutions?
There is no one size fits all solution to pro-life. We must tailor our approach to fit the specific needs of each child. However, there are some general things that we can do to make the world a better place for children.
First, we need to invest in education. Education is a key driver of economic growth and social development. It helps people develop the skills they need to find decent work and lead productive lives. Secondly, we need to create more opportunities for children to participate in decision-making processes. This will ensure that their voices are heard and that they have a stake in shaping their own future. Third, we need to protect children from violence and exploitation. This includes passing laws and ratifying treaties that prohibit child labor and establish minimum employment age.
If the incidents in Uvalde are anything to go by, children are at risk and defenseless. It’s the solemn responsibility of society to protect its vulnerable. A true measure of civility of any nation is how it protects its weak. This calls for the passage of unpopular laws, investing in social welfare programs, and being vocal about issues affecting children. Protest, demand, donate and agitate for governments and the world at large to develop social, economic, and political norms aimed at protecting our children. That’s pro-life.
What’s the point of fighting abortion and then letting the children die of bullets? Or hunger? Do you get the drift?
Conclusion
Let us actualize pro-life by creating a world that is safe and equitable for all children. This is our moral obligation. It is time for us to actualize pro-life. We must demand more from our leaders and ourselves. We must create a world that is equitable for all children. Perhaps, starting with an acknowledgment of the systemic failure that enables acts of horrible acts such as those in Uvalde is a step in the right direction.
There is no politics in the death of a child; just sadness and a bright light going off too soon.
About The Contributor
