The Smallest Victims of War

It is said to believe that our society is built around 'survival of the fittest'. While this statement rings true, one of the saddest realities of our world is the using of the most fragile to achieve a goal. Child soldiering has a huge presence in our world today. Although every country at some point in it's history has been exposed to the tragedy, I would like to focus on the country of Africa because I am most familiar with it's story regarding child soldiers.

Child soldiering has been around throughout the entire history of the world. So, why are children targeted to be transformed into killing machines? Children are the easiest to capture, and are the easiest to frighten. When a child is young, they have not yet developed the full understanding of rights and wrongs. Because of this, it is effortless to drill new ideas into a child's mind. Children are not threatening to authority in the way that adults are, so they can be disciplined and managed. When a child is captured for the intent of child soldiering, they are torn from everything they have ever known. They change their hair, clothes, take any belongings the child had, and change their names. This is the first stage of brainwashing these children to become mind-numbed, murderous human beings. Next guns and machetes are put in their hands, and the people they now know and trust tell them to use them. They have been told this is right, therefore they do it.

Some children have been known to voluntarily become child soldiers with various militia groups. However, WHAT CHOICE DO THEY HAVE?! The way that child soldiering is presented to many of these kids is by militia leaders who tell them of the fame, fun, and riches that come with being part of their armies. So, they can join the militia groups and become 'rich', party lots, have a gun, feel powerful, receive drugs and alcohol, and be the boss. Or they can resist and be homeless, face starvation, be killed by the militia groups that they didn't join, and have to care for a family when they can't even accommodate themselves. These people face so much anguish in their day to day lives that any relief looks promising.

There are approximately 100,000 child soldiers in Africa, and the numbers grow rapidly. What can we do? There are many organizations that are aiding in rescuing these children, raising awareness of the problem, and providing psychological help for saves child soldiers. Below I listed a few websites you should check out, and some organizations:

1. www.helpchildsoldiers.com
2. www.warchild.org
3. www.child-soldiers.org
4. www.unicefusa.org

I suggest to anyone who visits this blog to view the movie Blood Diamond. The movie is about the diamond rush in Sierra Leone. The film shows child soldiering in a way that is both eye opening and moving. Please watch it.

Saudi Women STILL Cannot Drive

One of the largest violations of Arabian women's rights is that they may not drive any motorized vehicles.

The women of Saudi Arabia have been suppressed in many ways. They may not leave the house without permission from their male guardian, can not play sports, they must wear head dresses, and

until 2012 they could not vote or run for any political position.

Women’s rights have come so far over the centuries of our time. Employment, sports, voting, marriage, and many more privileges have been won for women around the world.

They must rely on taxis, buses, trains, or any male to drive them where they want to go. This inconveniences these women, as they cannot simply go to the store. They must walk, or pay for a ride.

However, these women continue to push the boundaries. They want their freedom and justice. They will hold rallies, and even drive although it is illegal.

“Yesterday there were lots of police cars so I didn’t take the risk. I only took the wheel for a few minutes. Today I drove and nobody stopped me. For sure I will drive every day doing my normal tasks.” Says Azza al-Shamasi. Azza had filmed herself driving to the hospital.

Although there are many more major issues for these women, driving is a small problem that is very angering.

“We will continue driving and posting videos,” said activist Aziza Youseff, “the whole thing is raising awareness and making people get used to us driving as normal.”

Saudi women are aiming to claim this right, and they will continue pressing the government until their rights are acknowledged.

Read more on the Saudi Driving issue at http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/saudi-women-defy-authorities-over-driving-ban-1.2252709

The Freedom Push Mission

The world has come a far way over the centuries to correcting our human rights, and creating equal opportunities for all. It is still a work in progress, however.
The Freedom Push Mission is a place where I hope to inform and educate others on the injustices still out there. Through this site a public voice can be heard, and great things could be accomplished.

Please follow this site and together we can speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.