“Empowering the future: Celebrating Children’s Day and upholding their rights”
Sri Lanka celebrates World Children’s Day on the 1st of October to raise public awareness about the rights of children. Children’s Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honor of children, whose date of observance varies by country.
Children around the world face a variety of challenges and issues that affect their wellbeing and development. These challenges can vary depending on the region, socioeconomic factors, and local circumstances, however, certain common challenges are faced by children globally.
Access to Education: Access to education remains a critical issue for many children around the world. While progress has been made in increasing enrollment rates in primary education, significant challenges persist, particularly in low-income and conflict-affected regions.Many children lack access to quality education due to factors like poverty, inadequate infrastructure, discrimination, and conflict. This can limit their future opportunities and perpetuate cycles of poverty.
In many developing countries, there is a lack of proper school infrastructure, including classrooms, textbooks, and sanitation facilities. This can make it difficult for children to attend school in a safe and conducive environment. Children in remote or rural
areas often have limited access to schools. The long distances they must travel to reach the nearest school can be a barrier to regular attendance. Poverty is a major barrier to education. Families struggling with poverty may not be able to afford school fees, uniforms, or other related costs. This can force children to drop out of school or never enroll in the first place.Gender disparities persist in access to education. Girls may face cultural and societal barriers that discourage their education. Early marriage and gender-based violence can also hinder girls’ access to school.
Child Labor: Millions of children are engaged in child labour, often in dangerous and exploitative conditions, depriving them of their childhood and proper education. Child labor remains a significant issue in many parts of the world despite global efforts to combat it. Child labor refers to the exploitation of children through any form of work that deprives them of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular schools, and is mentally, physically, socially, or morally harmful.
Childhood Malnutrition: Malnutrition, both undernutrition and overnutrition (obesity), can have long-lasting health effects on children.Childhood malnutrition remains a significant global issue that affects the health and well-being of millions of children. It encompasses both undernutrition and overnutrition (obesity) and has far-reaching consequences for physical and cognitive development. Here are some key aspects of childhood malnutrition.
Undernutrition refers to inadequate intake of essential nutrients, including calories, proteins, and micronutrients. It can manifest in different forms:Stunting occurs when a child’s height is significantly below the expected average for their age.
It is a result of chronic malnutrition and indicates long-term nutritional deprivation, often starting in the womb and continuing through early childhood.Wasting is characterized by low weight for height and is usually a result of acute malnutrition or recent food shortage.
Children with wasting are at a higher risk of mortality. Under weight children have a weight that is lower than what is considered healthy for their age. This can be caused by both stunting and wasting. Over nutrition refers to excessive calorie intake, often accompanied by inadequate intake of essential nutrients. Childhood obesity has become a global epidemic, particularly in urban areas, due to factors like poor diet, lack of physical activity, and increased consumption of processed and high-calorie foods.
Child Protection: Child abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence continue to be serious problems, often exacerbated by conflict and displacement. Child protection is a critical issue that encompasses a wide range of concerns related to the safety, well-being, and rights of children. It involves safeguarding children from harm, exploitation, neglect, abuse, and violence, as well as ensuring that their rights are respected and upheld. Child abuse takes various forms, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.
It can occur within families, institutions, or communities, and it has severe and longlasting effects on children’s physical and psychological well-being.Effective child protection systems involve laws, policies, and programs that aim to prevent child abuse and exploitation, provide support to victims, and hold perpetrators accountable. These systems also include mechanisms for reporting abuse and accessing services. Prevention efforts are crucial in child protection. Education and awareness programs aim to inform children, parents, caregivers, and communities about child rights, child abuse prevention, and how to recognize and report abuse.
Digital Risks: With increased access to technology, children also face online risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and digital addiction. Children today face a variety of digital risks and challenges in an increasingly connected and technology-driven world. These digital risks can have significant implications for their safety, privacy, and well-being. Cyberbullying involves the use of digital technology, such as social media, instant messaging, or online forums, to harass, threaten, or demean others. Children can be victims or perpetrators of cyberbullying, and it can have severe emotional and psychological effects.
Children may encounter online predators who use the internet to establish inappropriate relationships with them. These predators may pose as peers to gain a child’s trust. Children can easily access inappropriate or harmful content online, including violent or explicit material, which can have a negative impact on their mental and emotional well being. Children may not fully understand the implications of sharing personal information online. They may inadvertently share sensitive information that could be exploited or used against them.
Excessive screen time and device use can lead to digital addiction, which may affect a child’ s physical health, social life, and academic performance. Children maybe targeted by online scammers or fraudsters, leading to financial losses or the compromise of their personal information. Children’ s privacy can be invaded through activities like online surveillance, tracking, or the unauthorised collection of their personal data.Excessive gaming, especially in online multiplayer games, can lead to addiction and negatively impact a child’s mental health and overall well-being. Children may fall victim to phishing attacks or social engineering schemes where they are tricked into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or financial details.
Posting inappropriate or harmful content online, such as offensive comments or compromising photos, can damage a child’s online reputation and have real-world consequences.
Children may be exposed to extremist or radical ideologies online, which can pose significant risks to their safety and well-being. Social media platforms can contribute to feelings of social comparison, low selfesteem, and anxiety among children. Excessive screen time and digital engagement may lead to a decline in face-to-face social interactions and physical activities.
Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach involving governments, communities, and individuals. It involves ensuring access to quality education, healthcare, and nutrition, promoting child protection, combating poverty, addressing systemic inequalities, and prioritizing the well-being of children in policy and decision-making. International organizations like UNICEF and the United Nations play a vital role in advocating for children’s rights and supporting efforts to address these challenges worldwide.
Also, parents play a crucial role in taking care of children, and this responsibility is especially important in today’s complex and fast-paced world. Parenting is a dynamic and evolving journey, and each child is unique. Therefore, it’s essential to adapt the parenting approach to the specific needs and personality of the child. Seek support and guidance when needed, and remember that being present, loving, and attentive are some of the most powerful ways to take care of children in today’s world.
National Savings Bank’s Commitment to a Brighter Future …………………………… .
National Savings Bank (NSB) has historically been committed to the welfare and future of the country, including its children. Overall, NSB plays a crucial role in the country’s financial landscape by providing a secure platform for savings and financial services, fostering financial inclusion, and contributing to the economic development of the country.
NSB has often undertaken initiatives to support education in Sri Lanka. This includes providing scholarships, grants, or low-interest loans to students pursuing higher education. These efforts aim to improve the educational opportunities available to children and young adults.The network of Branches and Post/Sub- Post offices that are collecting deposits on behalf of NSB, facilitate financial inclusion and provide easy access to all children in their respective areas. NSB is the only bank that provides facilities to children ofa very young age, to manage their own accounts.
Strengthening the English education
As an international language and a basic requirement for many professions, English literacy plays a major role in today’s corporate culture, and the English Skills enhancement projects will encourage the academics, parents, and school children in the area to take up the subject with confidence.
Being a leading government institute in Sri Lanka NSB shares a heritage deeply rooted among Sri Lankans for hundreds of years. With timely technological, product, and service transformations,NSB is moving ahead with the trust of millions of Sri Lankans. As a government entity, NSB identified the need to acknowledge and pledge its allegiance to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as per the directions of the Government.
Therefore, with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education, the bank launched “English is Simple” an English Education enhancement project for school children in Grades 8, 9, 10 &and 11 of selected schools island-wide.
The Bank offers Hapanspecial savings accounts designed for children. These accounts offer higher interest rates to encourage savings. Such accounts help children, and their families develop financial literacy and save for future expenses like education.NSB organises financial literacy workshops and programs targeting children and teenagers. These initiatives aim to educate young people about responsible money management, savings, and investment. Banks often offer a variety of savings and investment products such as Prarthana ,5-Year Savings, and Buddhi Higher Education Loans that can help parents and guardians save for their children’s future needs, such as education expenses.
As we celebrate World Children’s Day, NSB reaffirms its commitment to the wellbeing and future of children in Sri Lanka. We believe that every child deserves access to a safe and nurturing environment, quality education, and the opportunity to dream big.
Through our various tailor-made savings and financial products, NSB aims to instill the value of financial literacy and savings in the younger generation. We understand that by teaching children to save and plan for their future, we are not only helping them secure their financial well-being but also empowering them to make informed decisions and achieve their dreams in the years to come.
At NSB, we also take pride in our role in promoting financial inclusion, ensuring that children from all walks of life have access to banking services. We are committed to being a partner in their journey, providing the tools and resources they need to thrive.NSB has introduced its virtual products and services under one banner, the NSB NextGen. Customers can enjoy our digital products NSB e-connect, NSBPay App, e-KYC facility, and e-Post Digital Account at ease.
On this World Children’s Day, let us remember that investing in the well-being and future of our children is an investment in a brighter and more prosperous Sri Lanka. NSB stands with the children of our nation, nurturing their dreams and aspirations, and working toward a future where every child’s potential is realised.
Together, we can create a world where children are not only cherished but also given the opportunities they deserve. National Savings Bank remains dedicated to this vision, today and for generations to come.