She's an advocate, educationist, child protection specialist, and legal advisor dedicated to creating a safer world for children. Through her work, she champions secure school environments, empowers children, and strengthens the authorities responsible for their well-being. Mentor Magazine, this Women’s month, features the revolutionary Sanah Batta, a champion of children's rights, whose advocacy of child rights has created an inclusive and healthy space for children.
Her Journey
Every journey has a story, and Sanah Batta’s began in the courtroom. As an advocate, she was deeply committed to the pursuit of justice and utilizing the power of words to transform lives. However, Sanah observed that the legal system had limitations in addressing systemic issues and achieving lasting change. This realization led her to understand that education provides a unique platform for transformative change.
In her role as an educator, Sanah serves in multiple capacities – as a teacher, a legal advisor, and a board member. From engaging directly with students in the classroom to making policy decisions, she firmly believes that education is the cornerstone of a just and equitable society. By empowering children with knowledge, skills, and a strong sense of self-worth, she believes that we can equip them to navigate challenges, break cycles of abuse, and build a brighter future.
This recognition brought her to embrace the opportunity to impart knowledge and awareness to the children she teaches and interacts with. Sanah came to understand the crucial importance of child protection and safety. The more she delved into this field, the more she realized that it encompasses much more than simply understanding legal requirements. Sanah Batta’s journey into child protection and safety has been profoundly influenced by a sense of injustice and a desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable children. She believes in the power of advocacy and strives to empower children to speak up for themselves, to advocate for their own needs and rights, and to build healthy relationships.
Safety Challenges for Children
Children commonly face safety challenges such as sexual abuse, cyber bullying, online predators, substance abuse, mental health issues, and physical safety.
Parents have a crucial role in safeguarding children. Collaboration between parents and schools is necessary to establish a safe and positive environment for children. Effective measures include open communication, education and awareness, technology monitoring, and community involvement and support.
Empowering Children
The first step is education and awareness. Conversations about boundaries should begin from a young age, using age-appropriate language to explain concepts like personal space, consent, and respecting others' feelings. Additionally, it is important to demonstrate healthy relationships in everyday life.
Secondly, teach children about body autonomy and use correct anatomical terms for body parts to normalize discussions about the body, and help children understand that their bodies belong to them.
Thirdly, understanding digital safety and how to be safe online is crucial. Discuss the potential dangers of online interactions, such as cyberbullying and online predators, and teach children to be cautious about sharing personal information online.
Finally, self-defence is important. Teach children assertive communication techniques to help them stand up for themselves in challenging situations.
An Anecdote
One moment that stands out Sanah Batta’s career as an educator and child safety specialist was when she helped a young girl find the courage to speak out against the abuse she was suffering. During an awareness session, she lingered behind, waiting for the crowd to disperse. Then, with tears streaming down her face, she shared her heart-breaking story.
Sanah’s team immediately reported the matter to the concerned authorises. The swift response and support from the concerned authorities brought her parents to the table, and the girl began receiving the socio-emotional support she desperately needed.
What's remarkable is that this experience ignited a spark within her to fight for justice and empowered her to speak up. She's now pursuing a career in law, driven by a passion to help others who've endured similar trauma. “Witnessing her transformation has been a powerful reminder of the impact we can have on a child's life”, adds Sanah Batta. It's a memory Sanah will carry with her forever, which fuels her commitment to creating safer, more supportive environments for all children.
Conclusion
Sanah Batta is of the opinion that it is essential for all educators to recognize that child protection and safety are not merely policy documents or annual training sessions. They require a comprehensive review of the entire school ecosystem. The school's vision and mission should align with principles related to child protection. All stakeholders need to collaborate to ensure a safe environment for children. Sanah concludes by saying that promoting open communication, creating a positive and inclusive environment, addressing safety concerns proactively and promptly, and pursuing professional development are imperative.
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