Red Hand Day
Every year, Red Hand Day calls on political figures to avoid the use of child soldiers. This day is also known as the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers.
Sadly, many countries around the world encourage the use of children in violent conflicts. In at least 20 countries, over 250,000 child soldiers around the world are deployed in at least 20 countries. Afghanistan, Colombia, Iraq, the Philippines, Sudan, and Yemen are among the countries where this activity is particularly prevalent. The majority of child soldiers are between the ages of 15 and 18 years old. However, some countries recruit children as young as 9 years old.
In addition to being exposed to life-threatening injuries, child soldiers also suffer from a lack of adequate nutrition, shelter, and health care. In addition,, abusive techniques are used on these children to discipline them. As a result, some of these child soldiers die or become permanently disabled. Soldiers who survive are traumatized for life.
No child is safe from becoming a soldier in certain countries. Girls are even encouraged to become soldiers by the government. These girls also face the possibility of forced marriage and sexual assault. If these children are able to return home, their lives may also be difficult. Orphanages are often returned to orphanages. Some people are unable to attend school or work a career.
#redhandday is a hashtag that people use to track #redhandday
Children around the world paint their hands red and write their handprints on paper on this day. Some children include a personal note to discourage the use of child soldiers alongside their red handprint. Many of the children who participate are former child soldiers. The 2009 festival attracted over 250,000 red hands in over 100 countries in over 100 countries. These handprints were given to the UN Secretary in New York City by a handprint. Other activities on this day include marches, petitions, and school awareness campaigns. Many groups, such as World Vision, Amnesty International, and Child Soldiers International, among others, host events.
To participate, make a red handprint, snap a snapshot of it, and post it on social media with the hashtag #RedHandDay.
Red hand day history
More than 150 governments introduced an optional bill on February 12, 2002 to outlaw the recruitment of children under the age of 18 in armed conflict. Former child soldiers in 2008, to celebrate this protocol, collected red hand-prints and placed them on paper and banners. They used the red hand to indicate that they would not use child soldiers again. Since then, the day has been designated as Red Hand Day.
