LET'S UNITE FOR CHILDREN
In an increasingly divided world, there is one thing we can all agree on: We must put children first in the decisions we make and in the priorities we set. Right now, there are several bills which are languishing in the legislative pipeline and are in danger of failing when the 117th Session of Congress ends in December. We are calling on people to unite and make the voice of children heard in the halls of Congress before the end of this year. Children need your voice now more than ever!
Take Action Now
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
1 Corinthians 1:10
Do you ever feel like we live in an increasingly divided world? It seems our lives are defined not by what brings us together, but what tears us apart. So much of what we hear every day – on the news and through social media - drives us toward conflict and strife.
But there is one thing we can all agree on. We must put children first in the decisions we make, and in the priorities we set. This is true in our home lives, and it is true for Congress too. Children must be prioritized in the policies we set. Our own futures depend on it!
The Advocacy Team at World Vision is working hard to get several pieces of legislation across the finish line in 2022:
When we invest in girls, the dividends are immeasurable. Educated women earn better wages and raise healthier and more educated children, resulting in stronger economies, more peaceful nations, and more equitable systems. But many girls in low and middle-income countries are forced to drop out before finishing secondary school. Roughly 130 million girls were out of school before the pandemic, mostly adolescent girls, and UNESCO estimates that over 11 million more girls may not return due to the indirect impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Tell Congress to support the Keeping Girls in School Act to address gaps in current practices and supports teen girls' access to quality, inclusive education worldwide. Harmful social norms, violence, child marriage, and poverty keep girls in developing countries from learning. But God wants ALL children to experience life in all its fullness - that often starts with a quality education.
Children today are experiencing increased loads of stress and anxiety - whether it stems from conflicts, violence in their communities, loss of a loved one, or living life on the move. Children need access to mental health support in the wake of the pandemic to enable them to thrive and reach their full potential.
83% of children worldwide reported an increase of negative feelings due to COVID-19, and 14% experience mental health disorders. Tell Congress to pass the Mental Health in International Development and Humanitarian Settings (MINDS) Act to support best practices, lay the groundwork for a U.S. government global mental health strategy, and emphasize the needs of vulnerable populations - including children in adversity, those living in poverty and conflict zones, women and girls, and other marginalized communities. God wants ALL children to experience life in all its fullness - and that can't happen without mental health support.
Of the 193 million people who experienced crisis levels of food insecurity in 2021, nearly 139 million lived in environments where conflict is the main driver of food crises. Ask your representatives to consider co-sponsoring bi-partisan House Resolution 922, which calls for the use of diplomatic efforts to address instances where hunger is being used as a weapon, address food insecurity through continued humanitarian response, ensure interagency preparedness and integrations, and consider additional tools, where appropriate, to hold individuals, governments, and militias accountable for using hunger in conflict. Food insecurity and malnutrition continue to rise, and emerging conflicts drive children to extreme vulnerability. More can be done by global leaders to raise the issue of conflict-induced hunger and clearly articulate steps that can be taken to address it!
These pieces of legislation are critical to ensuring that children, especially girls, and especially in fragile contexts such as war zones, are protected and have what they need to not just survive, but to grow up strong and healthy – physically and mentally.
In places like Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, East Africa, and many other countries, World Vision is working in partnership with the US Government and local partners to provide urgently needed food, health and psychosocial services to children on the front lines.
Through these legislative initiatives, the U.S. government can lead with a sustainable, integrated approach to tackle the most urgent challenges, ultimately building a more stable future for children.
Will you join us? It takes less than a minute to send a pre-filled email to your representatives! Click on the link below to tell your members of Congress that we are all UNITED for Children:
ACT NOW FOR CHILDREN
QUESTIONS? Contact us at advocate@worldvision.org.
