The might of children

Even though the majority of our population is aged under-18 years, with this trend set to grow in the coming years, we have repeatedly failed to recognise the potential power that they command. Children have too often been dismissed as relatively useless members of society — with little role to play in how it is being shaped; as we also know they are frequent victims of exploitation and abuse. But the fact is that children can play a very important role and act to change the situations in which they live. This has after all happened in countries like Honduras, where children were used to spread messages about the importance of clean drinking water — and also in other nations.

The award of the National Peace Prize to 12-year-old Malala Yousafzai from Swat sets out a path we would be wise to follow further along. It is also encouraging that the prize, along with a sum of Rs500,000, has been made by the prime minister himself – who has also declared a similar peace prize for children be handed out each year. Malala, who like so many from Swat had faced tough times under the Taliban and been forced with her family to become an IDP, had raised her voice in difficult times for the right of girls to get an education and not be kept out of classrooms. Her efforts had brought her a nomination for the International Children’s Peace Prize — making her the first Pakistani to be placed on this list. She beat 93 other contestants from 42 countries to do so.

Of course, in some ways it is a pity that recognition for her at home has come only after an acknowledgement of her achievements by the international community. But still, an important start has been made which may help us realise that children can fight against deprivation, and like young Malala, play a real part in changing communities. Their efforts can do a great deal to alter the times we live in and improve our prospects for a future that does not look very bright for now.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th, 2011.