{"id":4264,"date":"2021-11-20T08:40:06","date_gmt":"2021-11-20T00:40:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/panap.net\/?p=4264"},"modified":"2021-11-20T08:40:06","modified_gmt":"2021-11-20T00:40:06","slug":"for-a-better-future-uphold-rights-of-the-child-to-a-healthy-environment-agroecology-now","status":"publish","type":"panap_updates","link":"https:\/\/panap.net\/beta\/updates\/for-a-better-future-uphold-rights-of-the-child-to-a-healthy-environment-agroecology-now\/","title":{"rendered":"For a \u2018Better Future\u2019: Uphold rights of the child to a healthy environment, agroecology now!"},"content":{"rendered":"

PAN Asia Pacific (PANAP) and its partners today launched its annual Protect Our Children Against Toxic Pesticides campaign highlighting the need to uphold the rights of the child to a healthy environment and promote agroecology for the future of children.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis year, the UN is commemorating #WorldChildrensDay with the theme <\/span>A Better Future for Every Child.<\/span><\/i> We say that a better future for our children necessitates the global phase-out of pesticides that are especially toxic to children, as well as a shift from a chemical-intensive food system to one that is anchored on the principles of agroecology,\u201d said Sarojeni Rengam, PANAP executive director.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Over the last 50 years, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders, asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, childhood cancers and birth defects have increased substantially. Evidence is growing that these are linked to environmental hazard exposure, according to the UNICEF\u2019s Global Programme Framework, \u201cHealthy Environment for Healthy Children\u201d released earlier this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the UNICEF, 92% of pollution-related deaths occur in lower- and middle-income countries \u2014 specifically in poorer, marginalised communities. Children bear the greatest risks, since \u201clow levels of environmental pollution that could be tolerable for adults can have life-long toxic effects on children.\u201d It is estimated that 108 million children globally are working in the agriculture sector, and likely exposed directly to toxic pesticides. This figure does not yet include millions of children living in rural communities, who are exposed to pesticides in various ways.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a study conducted by PANAP and its partner groups CGFED and SRD among<\/span> school children in three districts in Vietnam<\/span><\/a>, it was found that an overwhelming majority or 98.6% of students reported that they were exposed to the pesticides in their homes and schools, such as when playing in the fields after pesticides were sprayed (66%), purchasing and selling pesticides when told by parents (48.6%), and washing pesticide spraying tanks or equipment (33%). Self-reported symptoms by the children include dizziness, headaches, vomiting, and disturbed sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

As part of PANAP\u2019s Protect Our Children Against Toxic Pesticides campaign, the following activities will be held:<\/span><\/p>\n