The International Day to Protect Education from Attack is observed on September 9. The day is marked to make people aware of how the protracted nature of conflicts today affects entire generations of children. Without access to safe education, children living in conflict are at risk of growing up without essential skills and knowledge.
The Yemen Civil War, the Ethiopian conflict, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Taliban rule in Afghanistan are some internal and external conflicts that threaten children’s right to education.
The day was established in 2020 by a unanimous decision of the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution proclaiming the day was presented by the state of Qatar and was co-sponsored by 62 countries. The resolution also called on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to raise awareness of the plight of millions of children living in the countries affected by conflict.
