Challenging Heights Petitions UN to Declare Day for Boy Child Sexual Abuse Awareness
A child rights organization, Challenging Heights, has partnered with Family for Every Child to petition for the United Nations (UN) to declare 16th April as an international day to create awareness on sexual abuse of the boy child and its prevention.
The day, termed the Blue Umbrella Day, has been in existence for the past three years but is observed by about 47 countries in the world. Challenging Heights this year is campaigning for a global recognition of the Blue Umbrella Day, as sexual violence against boys has become a critical child protection issue.
Speaking with Winneba-based Nyce FM on Wednesday, April 16, the communication officer of Challenging Heights, Sandra Anyane Boanima, emphasized that sexual abuse of the boy child is under-recognized. She noted that because some African cultures frown on men crying or expressing their emotions, it has become difficult for the boy child to report when being sexually abused.
“In Africa here, it has been instilled in the boy child that they cannot cry. Because of that and the fact that he could be mocked, boys are going through a lot that they don’t talk about. So this year, the campaign’s main focus is for everybody to join us in signing a petition to the UN to declare 16th April as an international day for the protection of boys.”
Sandra Anyane Boanima called on every individual to join the campaign, stating that if anyone wants to join in signing the petition, the organization has a link on their website for every smartphone user to sign. However, they are ready to reach out personally to anyone who wants to sign.
In addressing the sustainability of the campaign, a member of the communication team for Challenging Heights, Daniel Arhin, advised that individuals come together to inform everyone they know about the sexual violence of the boy for a broader education.
View this post: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIa_huhoJvU/?igsh=MTl0eWtxemNicmhzeA==
He advised all boys to report sexual abuses and forget the notion that boys need to stay strong and not be emotional. He believes this is a way to tackle issues of sexual abuse of the boy child.
“What I want to say is that if you are going through a bad situation and you feel you can’t talk about it because people would not like it as you are a boy, just like what happened recently, someone has died, and so if you decide not to talk about it, the consequences will be bad,” he said.