THE RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED CHILD

               I came across this UNICEF photo on my Facebook page and I felt a strong obligation to join UNICEF in advocating for the rights of children around the world. I have severally written against various forms of human rights abuses and injustices against children.  Abuses that include use of child soldiers, early marriage of the girl child, child labour, lack of education, neglect of the refugee children, poverty and hunger, amongst others.
ALL CHILDREN HAVE RIGHTS! This is irrespective of their nationality, ethnicity, race and religious orientation. It pains me to see the great injustices that is being done to the Rohingya children of Myanmar, who have been rejected by their Government, have no nationality and live their lives as refugees, being denied of many basic rights that they are normally supposed to enjoy.
         Today, I feel its important to also highlight the fact that DISABLED CHILDREN HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AS ALL OTHER CHILDREN. Most disabled children, especially here in Africa are being denied of many basic rights, the most important being education. But the Convention for Rights of the Child (CRC)  explains that disabled children shouldn’t be ostracized but given equal rights as their counterparts. Let us show love to children with disability. They need the love and care.

Written by Olisa Lotenna