Convention on the Rights of the Child – 30 years!

World Children’s Day is also known as Universal Children’s Day. This day is promoted and coordinated by UNICEF and the United Nations Children’s Fund which also works towards the improvement of children’s welfare.

It is the world’s most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. On 20 November several countries came together and promised to protect children’s rights. The Convention focused on who are the children, what are their rights and the responsibilities of governments. It also states that all rights are connected and cannot be taken away from children.

According to the Convention, children are not just objects who belong to their parents and for whom decisions are made, or adults in training. Rather, they are human beings and individuals who have their own rights. Further, it is mentioned that childhood is separate from adulthood and lasts until 18. It is a special time in which children are allowed to grow, learn, play and develop. No doubt, the convention became the most ratified human rights treaty that is accepted worldwide and also helped in transforming children’s lives.

The Convention inspired governments to change laws and policies and make investments to take care of the health of the children and nutrition that is required by the children to survive and develop.

“Around the world, children are showing us their strength and leadership advocating for a more sustainable world for all. Let’s build on advances and re-commit to putting children first. For every child, every right.”– UN Secretary-General António Guterres.