Two Years of Hope… Yemen Children Platform: The Voice of Childhood in a Time of War

Report by: Mohammed Al-Wajeeh

In a time overwhelmed by crises and burdened by wars, the voice of childhood in Yemen has remained in need of a platform to tell its story, shed light on children’s suffering, and plant seeds of hope amid the rubble. From within the noise of conflict, the Yemen Children Platform was born two years ago as a media and humanitarian window that placed children at the center of attention and restored the importance of their issues, recognizing them as a fundamental segment of society whose suffering is no less than that of others.

On the occasion of its second anniversary, the platform celebrates two years of work in one of the world’s most challenging humanitarian environments, reaffirming its commitment to defending children’s rights, highlighting their realities, and fostering community awareness that rejects violations and believes that protecting childhood is a true gateway to a safe future.

From a Brief News Item to a Human Story

The Yemen Children Platform was not a fleeting media project, but rather a response to an urgent need imposed by the reality of Yemen’s forgotten childhood. Since its launch in January 2024, it has taken upon itself the mission of restoring the Yemeni child’s voice and moving their issues from the margins of reports to the forefront of local and international awareness.

Arkan Alwafee, Editor-in-Chief of the platform, says that the idea stemmed from the conviction that the Yemeni child was the most marginalized victim, whose suffering had been reduced to passing numbers without granting them the right to express themselves. “We wanted to transform news into a human story that preserves the child’s dignity and treats them as rights-holders entitled to protection, education, and life,” he added.

Alwafee emphasized that the platform’s message continues to focus on giving Yemeni children an audible voice and a permanent presence in local, regional, and international consciousness.

Achievements and Tangible Impact

Over the past two years, the Yemen Children Platform has conveyed the reality of Yemeni children through reports, investigations, and human-interest stories that combine compassion with professional journalism, becoming both a mirror of reality and a platform that allows children and their families to express pain and hope.

According to the Editor-in-Chief, the platform has documented hundreds of violations against children’s rights and transformed them into public opinion files that prompted local authorities to respond. It has also established a network of journalists and volunteers specialized in child-related issues across various governorates, contributing to broader and deeper coverage.

He added that the platform has become a trusted media and human rights reference grounded in international humanitarian law and child rights conventions, strengthening its credibility and professionalism.

In terms of capacity building, the platform has implemented training programs targeting young journalists, focusing on child-focused journalism concepts and contributing to the preparation of a more informed media generation sensitive to childhood issues.

A Role in Strengthening Child Protection

UNICEF has praised the vital role played by the Yemen Children Platform, considering it an effective local voice that transforms children’s daily suffering into impactful humanitarian messages.

Dr. Muath Al-Shamsani, Health and Nutrition Officer at UNICEF in Taiz Governorate, explained that the presence of a specialized platform allows for a deeper understanding of field issues and serves as a bridge between children’s needs and decision-makers, enhancing the effectiveness of protection efforts.

He confirmed that the platform’s approach to safeguarding children’s dignity during publication aligns with international standards and contributes to building societal awareness that rejects violations, noting that its reports represent important references for international organizations in monitoring and planning interventions.

An Educational Role Beyond Media

The Yemen Children Platform has not limited itself to a media role; it has also carried out an educational mission aimed at building community awareness that respects children’s rights within Yemeni families.

Educational expert Hazaa Abdulwali believes that the platform’s content contributes to entrenching a culture of child rights, emphasizing that families’ exposure to the platform’s content transforms awareness into daily behavior and makes childhood issues a household priority.

He added that highlighting children as success stories enhances their self-confidence and moves them from the circle of victimhood to active participation, reducing the psychological impact of war.

Broad Community Resonance

The Yemen Children Platform has received wide appreciation from parents and followers, who see it as a safe space that speaks for their children in a language that respects their humanity.

Munira Abduljaleel, a mother and educator, says the platform has made a difference in addressing childhood issues, noting that it does not view the child merely as a victim, but as a human being with dreams and abilities.

Community activist Saddam Hazaa explained that the platform’s content has helped raise families’ awareness of children’s rights and prompted many to reconsider their approaches to parenting.

Dr. Khawla Mohammed, a pediatric specialist, affirms that having a specialized platform for children’s news creates a shared language between families and society regarding children’s psychological and educational needs, especially under wartime conditions.

Toward the Future

As it enters its third year, the Yemen Children Platform looks forward to developing its digital content, expanding visual production, and launching an English-language section to convey the reality of Yemeni children to the world, alongside expanding training programs for child journalists. According to the Editor-in-Chief, the coming phase will mark a qualitative leap in humanitarian and awareness-driven content.

In a country weighed down by war, protecting childhood remains an investment in tomorrow. The Yemen Children Platform stands as a testament that hope can be born from suffering, and that the child’s voice will remain present today to convey the truth, and tomorrow to help shape a safer future.