Children around the world are regularly engaged in hazardous activities that affect their mental, physical, social or educational development. Every year World Day Against Child Labor Day is celebrated on 12 June to provide a growing and developing environment for children to live a dignified life. In 1919, the International Labor Organisation (ILO) was founded and in 2002″World Day against Child Labour” was established to abolish child labor.

Impact of COVID-19 on Children

World Day against Child Labor 2020 focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on child labor. The COVID-19 pandemic has a huge impact on Livelihoods of the labor market and children are often the first to suffer. The economic slowdown has forced millions of children to left their school and opt for minimal jobs to support their parents for the livelihood. This year, the World Day Against Child labor is being conducted as a virtual campaign and organized jointly with the Global March Against child labor and the International Partnership for Cooperation on Child labor in Agriculture.  

If children are provided with a suitable environment to enjoy their life, surely they will contribute to the economic and social growth of the country. So stop child labor, protect the right of children, and support them.

INFORMATION SOURCE: https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-day-against-child-labour

The first language day was initiated in the year 2010 with the efforts of the Department of Public Information. Language days are celebrated for all the six official languages to promote equal use of all languages and to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well.

The English language has become so strong that it is now considered the Lingua Franca of the entire world, bringing together all of us for trade and communication, and serving almost every nation as the necessary second language. English has become the official language of nearly 60 countries around the world, and it seems to be gaining power every year.

While the English language is uniform but the difference in spelling and dialect or accent are the factors that differentiate among the types of English languages. The common types of English languages or dialects around the world are:

1. British English

2. American English

3. Australian English

4. Canadian English

5. Indian English

6. Philippine English

7. Ugandan English

Theme 2020: Transition to Adulthood

This year the United Nations is highlighting the issue related to the transition to adulthood. More than half of the children of the autism spectrum are not successfully transitioning to adulthood during their high school time due to a lack of opportunities and support. A successful transition means education, decision-making, independent living, and job. The Transition to adulthood process begins when children are at 12 to 14 years old, as schools and parents lay the foundation for skills needed to interact with adult life such as daily living skills like money management skills, housekeeping, and personal hygiene. Teachers should encourage students to participate in youth culture programs and volunteer work. The transition process will help to develop children’s interests, future goals, abilities, and skills necessary to achieve goals in adult life.

INFORMATION SOURCE: https://www.autismspeaks.org/world-autism-awareness-day

What is Autism?

Autism or autism spectrum disorder is characterized by communication and behavior. Autism is influenced by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Autism people have trouble understanding what others feel and think. This makes it hard for them to specify themselves, with words or through gestures and facial expressions. People with autism may have problems with learning and developing skills.

Causes of autism:

• There is no single reason behind autism
• Risk factors of autism include:
• Families who have one child with autism spectrum disorder have a higher risk of having another child with the disorder
• Environmental factors: viral infections, and air pollutants.
• Genetic disorder: fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome and genetic mutations.
• Being born to older parents
• Low birth weight

World Autism Day brings autism organizations worldwide together to assist in things like research, treatment, diagnoses, and acceptance for those affected by this developmental disorder.

On 29 February 2012, General Assembly declared to celebrate every year March 21 as World Down Syndrome day to spread awareness on what Down syndrome is, how it occurs and what it is mean to have Down syndrome.

How Down Syndrome Occurs

Choosing March 21 for World Down Syndrome has its own significance. Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that occurs because of trisomy or triplication of the 21^st chromosome; hence the global awareness day is marked on March 21. Each cell in the body has 23 sets of chromosomes, one from each parent, but Down syndrome occurs when one parent contributes additional genetic material.

World Down syndrome Day Theme 2020: We Decide

For the year 2020, Down Syndrome International (DSi) gave the theme for WDSD 2020 is “We Decide”. All people with Down syndrome should have full participation in decision making about matters relating to or affecting their lives is the main motto of DSi behind this theme. The theme for 2020, “We Decide” is inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) which supports effective and meaningful participation as a core human right.

Every year WDSD – World Down Syndrome Day launches a campaign to raise awareness on Down syndrome on March 21 named #lotsofsocks which inspires to wear colored socks, printed socks, 1 sock or 3 socks for 3 chromosomes. Try to wear them at home, nursery, school, college, university, work, play, travel, on holiday wherever you will be on 21 March!

A person suffering from Down syndrome can show various Physical and Mental symptoms:

Physical Symptoms include– Short Neck, small head, flattened mouth, upward slanting eyes, short hands, and fingers, poor muscle tone

Mental Symptoms include– slow grasping power, poor speech development, poor judgment, and impulsive behavior.