Hyderabad: 

International Missing Children’s Day is annually observed on May 25, a day dedicated to missing children. Every year on May 25, Global Missing Children Network's members and civil society organisations organise events honouring missing and abducted children.

In 1998, International Missing Children's Day was first started as a joint venture of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) and the United States' National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). In 2001, the commemoration spread worldwide through the efforts of the ICMEC, the European Commission, and the Missing Children Europe group.

Why is International Missing Children’s Day crucial?

Missing Children’s Day raises public awareness about the problem of missing children across countries around the world. Increasing public visibility of this crucial issue helps to inform people about the risk of children going missing and the measures to protect children from falling victim to predators or other dangerous situations.

On Missing Children's Day, civil society supports initiatives striving for children's safety. Efforts promote internet safety, prevent child-trafficking, reduce bullying, and increase law enforcement protections. These initiatives help create safer communities and ensure that all children have access to resources and support when they need it most.

For families with a missing child, Missing Children's Day serves as a reminder that they are not alone in their fight for justice. The day provides an opportunity for them to share their stories and draw attention to the plight of those still searching for their lost family members.

Kidnapped and unrecovered

An alarming 62,099 girls were reported as kidnapped or abducted in 2022 in India, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics. The number of unrecovered or untraced girl victims of kidnapping or abduction from previous years is a whopping 40,219. The number of girls reported kidnapped or abducted by 2022 increased to 1,02,318. Of them, 63,513 girls were recovered alive, and

Missing and untraced girls

Last year, NCRB reported another 62,946 girls missing. Adding the 31,133 girls reported missing but still untraced or unrecovered from previous years brings the total number of reported missing girls to 94,079. Authorities recovered or traced 60,281 of these girls in the same year, leaving 33,798 girls untraced or unrecovered by the end of that year.

How to Get Involved: Ways to Participate in International Missing Children’s Day

Raise Awareness: Use social media, community events, or educational programs to spread awareness about the issue of missing children. Share information about prevention strategies, safety tips, and resources available to families.

Participate in Candlelight Vigils: Attend or organise a candlelight vigil in your community to honor missing children and show support for their families. These events are a way to keep the memory of missing children alive and to stand in solidarity with those who are searching for their loved ones.

Support Organisations: Donate to or volunteer with organisations that work to locate missing children, provide support to their families, and prevent child abduction. These organisations play a crucial role in the recovery process and offer valuable resources to affected families.

Educate Children: Teach children about personal safety and the importance of staying alert in public places. Providing them with knowledge about how to stay safe can help prevent abduction and disappearance.

Wear a Forget-Me-Not: Wear a forget-me-not flower pin or ribbon to show your support for missing children and to symbolise hope for their safe return.

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