New Delhi: Children are the future of this society, of the human civilisation. They are the generation who will carry forward the torch of progress and evolution. Every year, International Missing Children’s Day is observed on May 25 to raise awareness about the problem of missing children. The day highlights the efforts made to find and bring those children back to safety and support the families which are devastated by such incidents. Notably, National Missing Children’s Day is observed in the United States on the same day. In this article, we will learn more about the importance of observing such an international day.
International Missing Children’s Day: The need to observe this day
International Missing Children’s Day is observed for those children who have gone missing, including those found later. In 1983, US President Ronald Reagan designated this day in the country as the ‘National Missing Children’s Day’. The decision by President Reagan came four years after a six-year-old boy named Etan Patz disappeared while going to school in New York City. It was a case which created a massive uproar in the US along with concern for missing children. In 2001, due to the joint efforts of the European Commission, the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC) and Missing Children Europe, May 25 was recognised as International Missing Children’s Day.
The cases of missing children in the world, especially in some of the countries in Europe are alarmingly high, like in Germany, the UK, and Italy. Children in poverty-stricken places are targeted by human traffickers and smugglers or kidnappers. In 2014 in Nigeria, Boko Haram kidnapped 276 Chibok school girls. In Canada, there were 34,437 missing children reports in 2023. The problem is further increased by the absence of proper information about those incidents and the underreporting of those cases.
The issue of missing children is a complex problem taking place across the world involving several political, geographical and legal factors. The ICMP has come up with certain programs which aim to help countries account for the missing children and ensure that survivors get access to proper safety and shelter. The ICMP has also joined hands with the International Organization for Migration and formed a joint proposal to keep an account of the missing children. Around the world every year, it is estimated that over one million children are reported missing and hence, all of us must come forward in our individual capacity to protect our children and safeguard the future of our civilisation.
International Missing Children’s Day is observed for those children who have gone missing, including those found later. In 1983, US President Ronald Reagan designated this day in the country as the ‘National Missing Children’s Day’. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
