Children’s Rights – What Every Child Deserves

children rights

If you’ve ever been a parent or have children, then you will know that they are the best thing in the world. However, you will also be aware that having kids can often force you to miss out on things you want to do. Your kids might get sick or have a dance recital so you can’t meet your friends for happy hour or take advantage of that cheap flight to Bora Bora. In these instances, you have to make the decision that you are choosing to put your child’s needs ahead of your own.

Children are humans who deserve the same rights as everyone else. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is a treaty that spells out all the rights of every child. It’s the most ratified of all human rights treaties, with every country in the world signing up to it.

Unlike the other human rights treaties, the CRC is specifically targeted at children. It states that every child has the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation. This includes exploitation in the workplace, the use of drugs, physical and emotional violence and harm, sexual abuse, corporal punishment, harmful detention, war, and more. It also includes the right to education and the provision of adequate living conditions, healthcare and services.

In addition, the CRC states that all children have the right to participate – and be listened to – in decisions that affect them. This is not only to support their development, but also so that adults have the opportunity to learn from children and improve the way they make decisions.

The last aspect of children’s rights that the UNCRC highlights is the right to freedom of expression. This right is intended to allow children to determine their thoughts, means of expression and opinions, sociopolitical ideologies, and religious and spiritual beliefs – as long as these don’t cause harm or offend others. It’s a crucial part of the right to be an active citizen and it helps to promote tolerance and respect for all people’s cultures, rights and differences.

All these rights apply regardless of where a child lives, what language they speak, what religion they believe in or whether or not they are rich or poor. They are also not discriminated against based on their age, gender, disability or race.

World Vision works in 90 countries to ensure all children have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and have a decent future. We are committed to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including those on ending extreme poverty and protecting children’s rights. We want to see the full realisation of the CRC, so that no child is left behind.