As the world celebrates International Children’s Day, the Worldwide Anglican Church (WAC) has called on global leaders to prioritize the protection of children’s rights. In a statement by the Church’s International Communications Director, Bishop Seun Adeoye, on behalf of WAC Patriarch Archbishop Lwanga Tusubira, leaders were urged to implement policies ensuring adequate protection and support for children.
The statement reads, “It is heart-wrenching to see children killed and maimed during wars they virtually know nothing about, ravaged by hunger, subjected to underage marriages and forced labor, and ruined by diseases due to the failures of the adults who rule over the nations.”
The Church appealed to adults to abandon their greed for wealth and power and instead embrace peace to protect the future of children and unborn generations.
“Today, we witness several thousands of children in places such as Sudan, Ukraine, Haiti, and Palestine facing extreme violence, unrest, malnutrition, poverty, and other societal menaces. All these anomalies should be avoided.”
“Children everywhere deserve protection and education. We all need to work hard to ensure these children caught in the crossfire receive adequate health care, good nutrition, and shelter.”
The Church also committed to supporting UNICEF, UNESCO, and other government agencies in their efforts to provide a good and abundant life for children, leveraging its presence in about 100 countries globally.
Bishop Adeoye emphasized that ensuring children’s rights is not only a moral obligation but also essential for the development of peaceful and prosperous societies. The Church’s message highlights the urgent need for international cooperation and concerted efforts to address the challenges faced by children worldwide.
