All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”.
Article 1, Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The year 1924 saw the adoption of the Declaration of Geneva, which states that people owe children the right to the means of development, to special assistance when they need it, to relief materials, and economic freedom.
This was the beginning of many developments to come in terms of children’s rights, as over the years, the laws regarding children have been continually changed, from their care to the type of work that is suitable for them and all the basic issues concerning them, the amendment has become more comprehensive and very detailed in its statements.
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund was established in 1946 to address these issues.
The 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child defines a child as “every human being below the age of eighteen years unless, under the law applicable to the child, he or she has attained maturity earlier, for children are characterized as defenseless and incapable of self-care.
Children are human beings and no child is born inferior to others, and as such, every child is entitled to fair and equitable treatment that will contribute to his or her intellectual, emotional, and physical development without mental scars creating a sense of inadequacy.
The laws now include maternal care because a protected mother is a protected child. There are sections for children in war and in all areas where a child needs protection – health, physical health, etc.
Right to life: every child born should be allowed to grow into an adult, without discrimination, and any decision to end a child’s life is punishable by law.
Right to identity and nationality: many displaced and displaced children do not have a certificate proving their belonging to a nation. This situation has been corrected and certification of children has become a priority to ensure that every child has a sense of belonging.
Right to education: every child has the right to receive a quality education that will build him/her up properly and help him/her on the path to responsible adult life.
Right to health: The right to appropriate health care and safe treatment are some of the most important rights of every child.
The right to live with parents: Children need a stable environment to grow and develop well, so a complete family unit is the best guarantee of a fulfilling life for the child.
The right to be protected: Because of their vulnerability, children must be protected against any form of abuse, especially in times of trouble, and their protection must be a priority.
The right to special care: This applies to disabled children and war refugees, who need special care adapted to their particular situation.
Since children rarely have a say in the running of the nation and the policies adopted that affect them, such as the health sector, the education sector, and child-centered sectors, these basic rights serve as a guiding tool for government and policymakers, and also serve as a safeguard to protect these children from exploitation.