Information from a calendar of annual human rights observances on the Morgantown City website and from Diversity Resources.
April: National Child Abuse Prevention Month
A time to emphasize the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect and to promote the social and emotional wellbeing of children and families.
April: Sexual Assault Awareness Month
A month to promote awareness of sexual assault, harassment, or other abuse to increase prevention efforts to protect all people of all ages.
April 1: Youth Homelessness Matters Day
This internationally-recognized day draws attention to people living with Autism globally. It is just one of seven official health-specific days that the United Nations recognizes. The acceptance of autism is the focus of autism rights advocates. The neurodiversity paradigm is something that medical professionals and educators are bringing to life where the focus is acceptance of this community instead of the focus on the causes of the disease and suggestions for how this community should live.
April 2: World Autism Acceptance Day
Part of a campaign to create brighter futures for young people who have faced homelessness and to show them they have the power and opportunity to become whatever they put their minds to.
April 7: World Health Day
Calls for an awareness that without nurture and protection of health, persons are vulnerable to economic and social hardship and inability to fully utilize on engage in human rights.
April 10: International Day of Pink
This worldwide awareness day hopes to educate the general public on the harmful effects of discrimination, bullying, and homophobia in the world. Wear pink to show solidarity with the commitment to promote a safe and inclusive world for all.
April 16: Holocaust Remembrance Day
Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising – Seeks to commemorate the Holocaust by remembering and honoring the victims of the Holocaust which include six million Jews, thousands of Russian gypsies, homosexuals, persons with disabilities, and others.
April 21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Call to action to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination worldwide.
April 21: International Forest Day
Calls for awareness of the importance of forests in protecting air quality, water retention, plants for pharmaceuticals, habitat for birds and other wildlife – all of which provide a balance for survival of all.
April 22: World Water Day
Calls for awareness of how essential potable water is to the rights of all people in West Virginia and worldwide.
April 22: Earth Day
Today, let’s celebrate Mother Earth. Promote protecting the environment and advocate for sustainable living. This day serves as an important reminder of conservation, recycling, and action to protect the climate and our natural resources.
April 28: International Girls in ICT Day
Today recognizes the importance of teaching girls about careers in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Learning technical skills helps set up young girls and children alike to be independent. The future of the world and jobs is deeply rooted in technology.
Information from a calendar of diversity events from Diversity Resources.
April 3: Yazidi New Year
Also known as Sere Sal, this festival is celebrated by the Yazidi, a community with ancient roots across the Middle East. This day marks the beginning of a new year. On this day, they gather at sacred sites, perform religious rituals inviting blessings into their upcoming year, and perform traditional dances. It is a time of hope and unity while honoring their cultural identity throughout the world.
April 22: Passover
Passover, a significant Jewish holiday, is also observed in April. This eight-day festival commemorates the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Families gather to share Seder meals, read from the Haggadah, and reflect on themes of freedom and redemption. Passover is not just a historical commemoration but also a time for contemporary reflection on issues of freedom, justice, and human dignity.