A sub-segment of human rights, children's rights, in particular, pays attention to the reasons for special protection and care given to minors. The 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has clearly defined a child as 'any human being below the age of eighteen years unless, under the law applicable to the child, the majority is attained earlier.' With the increase of violation of children and child abuse, it is imperative to educate oneself about the importance of child rights and also add them as a part of the educational curriculum so that children themselves understand their rights.
Here are a few reasons highlighting the importance of child rights:
Children are individuals and not an owned entity – by parents, organization, state, or nation.
Children are dependent beings; they rely on adults to be nurtured and raised.
The acts and policies of a nation's governing body affect children, ranging from education to healthcare; the government is responsible for the betterment of its children – its future.
Political processes should hear children's views and address them, too; it is essential to understand what affects the future of our country and provide them with an assurance of growth and development in the right direction.
Alteration in the familial configuration, global development, climate change, technological advancements, large-scale migration, irregular employment prototype, and a shrinking communal welfare net have a substantial impact on children, in varying degrees. The well-being of any society rests on the shoulders of healthy and able children. Thus children should know the value of their voices and the ability that they hold to make a difference.
The costs to society of failing its children are enormous, and it has to be given emphasis – ALL THE TIME!
Founded in 1919, Save the Children is a universal non-profit organization working towards helping the nation learn the importance of child rights. Presently, it is India's leading autonomous child rights NGO, working in 19 states across India since its inception in the country in 2008. Registered as 'Bal Raksha Bharat', it is accredited to have changed the lives of over 10.1 million children to date. Save the Children keep their footing by meticulously hiring various kinds of professionals in the field of education, health & nutrition, and child protection. Would you like to do something too?
Do your bit and make a child understand the importance of child rights today, and tell us how it made you feel.