Hanging by his knees, a young daredevil gazes into the camera with a triumphant smirk, his world quite literally upside down in the midst of a rock-climbing adventure—a scene captured on National Children’s Day at none other than Bangkok’s Children’s Discovery Museum. The vibrancy and exhilaration of childhood are palpable in that one spontaneous shot, encapsulating the sheer joy of January 14th’s festivities in the bustling heart of Chatuchak district. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)
But beneath this snapshot of carefree youth lies a narrative that demands serious attention. Enter Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, a force of nature and the UN’s Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, who brings to light the undercurrents that swell beneath Thailand’s serene surface. In a candid conversation with the Bangkok Post, Dr. M’jid spotlights a truth that is too often overlooked—the protection of children is not a goodwill gesture; it is, instead, a fundamental investment in the fabric of society.
With a steely resolve, Dr. M’jid draws attention to the fragmented nature of the Thai government’s crusade against child violence. While the commitment is undeniably there, etched into national strategies, etched into plans of action, etched into the laws themselves, the execution is still siloed within the walls of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. “All hands on deck,” she urges, as protection is a multifaceted endeavor—one that intersects the realms of public health, education, finance, the interior, and more.
The lack, however, is palpable—a gap in the social workforce whose roles are pivotal in safeguarding the young and vulnerable. These unsung heroes don’t merely shield children from the immediacies of violence; their gaze extends far beyond, indentifying those teetering on the brink of harm, be they impoverished, migrants, or the unseen faces of rural adversity.
Dr. M’jid paints a vision of a social force of well-honed expertise, a responsive cavalry ready to dive into the fray at a moment’s notice to whisk children from the jaws of violence and into the embrace of safety and care. Essential to this is a system that empowers the youthful voices, too often stifled by the paralyzing grip of fear, to sound the alarm on violence and break the chains that bind them to silence.
To describe child protection as anything less than an investment, according to Dr. M’jid, is to do it a great disservice. It is a clarion call to the Finance Ministry and beyond, to recalibrate perspectives and behold the safeguarding of rights not as an exorbitant cost but as capital that nourishes the very roots of society. “This isn’t merely future-proofing; it’s about valuing the present-day dynamism of these young individuals who are, in every meaningful sense, as much a part of now as they are the heralds of tomorrow,” she declares.
Amidst the rhetoric that too often insulates policymakers, Dr. M’jid’s message is clear and emphatic: listening to the voices of children is not optional; it’s indispensable. For within their hopes, dreams, and indeed, their pleas, lies the blueprint for a society that can flourish across generations. The impassioned words of Dr. M’jid ring out as a testament to the resilience and potential of children everywhere—a beacon of hope and a fervent reminder that their rights, their safety, and their voices should be at the very heart of our collective aspirations.
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