In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and attempts by government to win the war against the virus, many victims of the virus that have been diagnosed and treated are being stigmatized by members of the society they once called friends.
Many of the Covid-19 patients have had to deal with many troubles throughout their treatment and subsequent survival and after defeating the virus, are now faced with yet a deadlier virus called stigma.
To help eradicate stigma against children of Covid-19 patients, Emehill Transformation, a Non-Governmental Organization and URGE Women Foundation have made a passionate call to all Ghanaians to rally support for victims of the pandemic and most importantly show love, kindness and care to children of coronavirus victims.
The organization in a press release issued today April 28, 2020, and signed by it founder Charity Emehill Bartels stressed that stigmatizing children whose parents or close relatives have been affected by the virus constitutes an abuse of the child and could lead to psychological problems.
“Stigmatizing children for any reason is abuse and to some extent a form of psychological torture for children especially in times as crucial as these”.
The statement further noted that the organization has initiated a nationwide campaign to eradicate stigma against children of covid-19 patients and called on Ghanaians, private bodies to support the campaign in helping it provide one face mask for every child under the “Ending Stigmatization Agaisnt Children of Covid-19 Victims” campaign.
“Emehill Transformation is by this press statement also launching a national campaign themed “Ending Stigmatization Agaisnt Children of Covid-19 Victims” and call on all Ghanaians, Cooperate Institutions and government institutions to support the campaign to eradicate all forms of abuse and stigma meted to children of Covid-19 victims.
#ChildrenAreSurvivorsToo#EndStigmaAgainstChildrenofCovid19Victims #HelpUsHelpThem”.
Read the full statement below.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COVID -19: ORGANIZATION WAGE WAR ON STIGMATIZATION OF CHILDREN OF COVID-19 VICTIMS
Emehill Transformation has learned with great concern, the growing number of cases of stigmatization of victims of Covi-19. The Organization has also taken note of the high rates of abuse and stigma against children of coronavirus patients in the country as more people get tested and are being treated.
It is rather sad that as the virus spreads, so is misinformation, a trend that is adding more to the burden of discrimination and stigma to families who have been affected by the virus.
In many instances, children are the worse affected by stigmatization as today, society has turned it back on the children who are most vulnerable and need the support of all.
Stigma and abuse of children of Covid-19 patients is in direct breach of the Sustainable Development Goals on child rights and protection, especially goal 16.2 which enjoins all member states to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture against children.
Stigmatizing children for any reason is abuse and to some extent a form of psychological torture for children especially in times as crucial as these. It is due to fears of stigmatization that many failed to own up to get tested or even opened up about their fever or signs of contracting the virus, unfortunately, survivors (including children) after defeating the disease also have to face stigmatization, a situation if not well managed could further derail the physical, emotional and psychological progress of the individual.
Leadership of Emehill Transformation, a Non-Governmental Organization and URGE Women Foundation is by this release urging members of society to desist from stigmatizing children who have been affected by the covid-19 pandemic directly or indirectly. We call on all actors involved in the overall response of the fight against coronavirus to ensure adherence to all legal, emotional and physical protocols of protecting children during this period of the pandemic.
Emehill Transformation is by this press statement also launching a national campaign themed “Ending Stigmatization Agaisnt Children of Covid-19 Victims” and call on all Ghanaians, Cooperate Institutions and government institutions to support the campaign to eradicate all forms of abuse and stigma meted to children of Covid-19 victims.
#ChildrenAreSurvivorsToo#EndStigmaAgainstChildrenofCovid19Victims #HelpUsHelpThem.
CHARITY EMEHILL BARTELS
PRESIDENT
