“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.”

Nelson Mandela

December is Universal Human Rights Month, a time for people in the U.S. and around the world to join together and stand up for the rights and dignity of all individuals.

December 10th, Human Rights Day, is a global holiday that marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948. Article I of the Declaration states, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Sadly, many people around the world have not experienced this truth. They face discrimination and persecution because of their race, national origin, sex, gender, religion, age, language, or other status.

This month is a reminder that the United Nations General Assembly codified the basic human rights of every person. It’s also a time to analyze on the way we treat others, and to do what we can in the fight for equality, especially in a time when topics such as systemic racism are widely being addressed.

WHY UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH IS IMPORTANT:

It allows us to reflect
Human Rights Month is a powerful holiday, as it allows us to look back on the ways we’ve treated our fellow human beings.

It reminds us of our ideals
These include individual freedoms which we must fight to protect.

It empowers us
The principles in the Declaration of Independence are still relevant today. This fact should empower each of us to stand up for ourselves, our own rights, and for the rights of others.

To observe Universal Human Rights Month, you can reread the Bill of Rights and research what these freedoms mean to you. This time of understanding also honors the work of those who brought them into existence. You can also volunteer and do your part to help protect others. Or, you can give back to your community, helping those who are hurting in your own community. After all, to start changing the world, sometimes you just need to start local!

Violations of children’s rights remain tragically common across the world, yet every child has the right to live free from violence, exploitation and abuse.Domestic violence and human trafficking violate the victim’s human rights to life, health, personal freedom and security, all which they should be guaranteed… Help for Kids supports children, mothers, and families that experience these struggles in our local community and provides them with the essential services and programs they need to prosper.

To learn more about what we do, please visit www.helpforkidsct.org!