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SARAJEVO, April 2 (FENA) - A group of organizations for the protection of the rights and well-being of children in Bosnia and Herzegovina, comprised of World Vision International in BiH, Hope and Homes for Children in BiH, Save the Children and the NGO Network "A Stronger Voice for Children" appeal for an amendment to the Decision of the FBiH Civil Protection Service ordering a full ban on the movement of persons under the age of 18 and over 65 years of age in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"Being fully aware of the seriousness and complexity of the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we do not question the need to introduce and implement very strict prevention and suppression measures, but absolutely support them and, as citizens and professionals, promote them in our programs, consistently and responsibly," says Save the Children in a statement.
At the same time, after consultation with pediatricians and pediatric psychologists, these organizations anxiously and responsibly indicate that a complete ban on the movement of persons under the age of 18, without a clearly limited duration, is very detrimental to the physical and mental health of our youngest fellow citizens and may have long-term and serious consequences for the individual, the family, but also the wider community.
They add that long-term isolation in a confined indoor space, and the inability to get outside for fresh air and recreation, have been proven to lead to a fall in much-needed immunity for children and muscle atrophy caused by lack of physical activity and even obesity.
While younger children need play and movement for proper growth and development, adolescents need to leave home in terms of having space for themselves and psycho-emotional balance, but also space for parents to maintain positive family dynamic.
These organizations point out that in a situation of limited space, children and young people resort to overuse of cell phones and computers, playing video games and watching television, which endangers their vision and hearing in the long run, leading to psychosomatic disorders and information technology addiction, lack of sleep, irritability and emotional instability in children, and many other serious problems in their psychophysical development.
They emphasize that they do not call for the complete lifting of the ban, but call for the softening of the ban and for allowing persons under 18 to regularly stay in the fresh air and under the supervision of their parents and under controlled conditions, with strict adherence to the measures.
These measures include, among other things, the movement of minors outside the home only when accompanied by parents/guardians and immediate family members, and only with wearing prescribed protective equipment - protective masks and gloves, and respecting the prescribed physical distance at least 1.5 meters apart, Save the Children said.
(FENA) S. R.
