Let's Make Social Justice a Reality

By Sheyla, aged 17, young leader from the children's network ANALIT, Peru.

Have you ever reflected on the phrase "The echo of silence?" With this, I refer to the discrimination that creates an echo of silence that magically makes the voices of those who are marginalised as children and adolescents, denying them the opportunity to be heard and understood.

In Peru, much is known about the existence of discrimination, but few are interested in stopping it and fighting against the current. That is why we should reflect on the importance of listening and providing opportunities to the young. They are the future rulers, great scientists, and those who will revolutionise our country. In them lies the future of our planet, but they are precisely the ones who today are being marginalised because of their skin colour, their place of origin, and so many factors that are only excuses to impose themselves on a person.

Throughout my experience in the ANALIT network, I have met great people who often faced this type of discrimination in their regions and decided not to remain silent and make their voices of justice heard. However, they also confirm that many others join the "Echo of silence". This silence causes groups of children to be denied equal access to education, health and other essential aspects of life; these children and adolescents are being deprived of the principle of social justice, thus contributing to a cycle continuum of social injustice.

That is why I call on everyone in my country and worldwide not to allow ourselves to be passive spectators in the face of injustice. We must actively commit to promoting equality, inclusion, and opportunities in all aspects of our lives and ask our authorities to commit to continuing to provide laws to secure social justice.
In the ANALIT network, we seek to make visible the voice of Venezuelan migrant girls, boys and adolescents by collecting their main concerns, interests and proposals on the issues that affect them during their stay in Peru. We engaged in the "Dialogue of futures between Peruvian-Venezuelan childhood and adolescence for inclusive integration," and I participated in this fantastic event where I immersed myself in the stories of each of them. However, a little Venezuelan girl mentioned how enthusiastic she was about discovering a new country without imagining that everything would be different when she arrived. 

Our children's network not only seeks the integration of Venezuelan children but also of people with disabilities. Each step is a grain of sand that we contribute to achieving long-awaited social justice because a country's true strength lies in its ability to embrace and celebrate diversity. Regardless of age and any other aspect, together against discrimination, let's build a more fair and equitable future for all. 

Social justice can be a reality only if we all join in!