The Right of The World’s Children

Rights are legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlements.

• They are fundamental rules about what is allowed of people, owed to people according to some legal systems, social convention, or ethical reasons.

• Alienable Rights: These are rights that can be taken away or involve the transfer of property rights. An example is the sale of property, which involves transferring property ownership.
• Civil Rights: These rights are inherent to citizens of a country and include the right to justice and equality. Civil rights lay the foundation for a just and equitable society.
• Inalienable or Natural Rights: These rights are beyond the reach of government interference and cannot be abrogated. Examples include the right to life, privacy, and the pursuit of happiness.
• Human Rights: Fundamental rights belonging to all individuals as part of humanity. They encompass rights like education, equity, fair-play, and free association, ensuring the well-being of every human being.

In the field of law and psychology, the term "child" holds distinct significance. Webster International Dictionary provides the following definitions:

• A young person of either sex between infancy and youth: This refers to an individual in the early stages of development, beyond infancy but before reaching the more mature stage of youth.
• One who exhibits characteristics of a young person: In this context, a "child" is defined by the traits and behaviors commonly associated with youthfulness.
• A person who has not come of age: This definition underscores the concept that a child is someone who hasn't yet reached the legal age of adulthood.
• A person under a legally specified age of 18 years: Legally, the definition of a child often includes an age criterion, such as being under 18 years old.

These definitions are crucial in legal, psychological, and societal contexts, helping establish the rights, responsibilities, and protections granted to individuals during their developmental years.

The rights of children are rooted in their unique developmental needs, acknowledging their physical, mental, and emotional immaturity. Several aspects emphasize the importance of these rights:

• Dependency and Care: Both young and older children require special care due to their physical, mental, and emotional immaturity. Young children are entirely dependent, while older children may struggle with making informed choices, thus necessitating protection and guidance.
• Nurturing for Responsible Adulthood: Individuals under 18 years of age need nurturing and guidance to mature into responsible and productive adults. This developmental phase is vital as these individuals will eventually assume roles in society's functioning.
• Family Foundation: The nurturing and protection of children begin within the family unit, fostering an environment of happiness, love, and understanding. A supportive family environment contributes significantly to a child's well-being.
• Extension to Society: The concept of children's rights extends beyond the family into society as a whole. This is achieved through well-crafted legislation that ensures children's freedom, dignity, and security.

Recognizing these needs underscores the importance of creating a protective and nurturing environment for children, both within their families and through societal frameworks.

Children, as individuals in the process of growth and development, possess certain inherent rights that are vital for their well-being and flourishing. These rights include:

• Right to Life: Every child has the fundamental right to life, which encompasses protection from harm and the provision of necessities for survival and development.
• Right to a Name & Nationality: A child has the right to be recognized by a name and to be granted a nationality. These aspects are essential for identity and legal recognition.
• Right to Association and Peaceful Assembly: Children possess the right to form associations and engage in peaceful gatherings. This fosters social interaction and the development of social skills.
• Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion: Children, as developing individuals, have the right to form their own thoughts, beliefs, and religious convictions, provided they respect the rights and freedoms of others.
• Right to Private and Family Life: This right emphasizes the importance of personal privacy and the family unit as crucial elements in a child's development and well-being.
• Right to Freedom of Movement: Children have the right to move freely within their environment, promoting exploration, learning, and social engagement.
• Right to Freedom from Discrimination: Every child has the right to be treated fairly and without discrimination, regardless of factors such as race, gender, or disability.
• Right to Dignity of the Child: This right emphasizes the need to treat children with respect and ensure their physical and psychological well-being.
• Right to Free, Compulsory, and Universal Primary Education: Children are entitled to quality primary education that equips them with essential knowledge and skills for personal and societal development.
• Right of a Child in Need of Special Protection Measures: Certain children facing unique vulnerabilities, such as those exposed to violence or exploitation, are entitled to special protections and support.
• Right of the Unborn Child to Protection Against Harm: The rights of the child extend even before birth, aiming to ensure a safe and nurturing environment for their future development.

Recognizing and upholding these rights is crucial for fostering a nurturing and empowering environment that allows children to reach their full potential.

Children are afforded critical legal protections to safeguard their well-being and secure their future. These protections include:

• Exposure to Harmful Publications: Children are shielded from exposure to materials that could negatively impact their development and values.
• Protection from Begging and Guiding Beggars: Children are safeguarded from engaging in begging or being forced to guide beggars, ensuring their dignity and safety.
• Protection from Armed Conflict and Child Soldier Recruitment: Children are shielded from being involved in armed conflicts and the atrocities of becoming child soldiers, preserving their innocence and well-being.
• Protection from Employment as Domestic Helps: Children are shielded from being employed as domestic helpers, allowing them to focus on their education and development.
• Protection from Inappropriate Child Labor: Legal provisions prevent children from being employed in any capacity other than certain family-based agricultural, horticultural, or domestic work.
• Protection from Forced or Exploitative Labor: Children are safeguarded against forced or exploitative labor, promoting their physical and mental well-being.
• Protection from Parental Debt Contracts: Children are protected from being held responsible for debts contracted by their parents before reaching the age of majority.
• Protection from Entering Contracts: Legal safeguards prevent children from entering into binding contracts, recognizing their limited capacity for informed decision-making.
• Protection from Physically Demanding Tasks: Children are shielded from tasks such as lifting heavy objects or operating machinery that could hinder their physical, mental, spiritual, or social development.
• Protection from Slavery, Bondage, and Forced Labor: Legal provisions ensure children are shielded from the horrors of slavery, debt bondage, and forced labor.
• Protection from Child Trafficking: Measures are in place to prevent the trafficking of children, safeguarding their well-being and future.
• Protection from Separation from Parents and Caregivers: Children are ensured the right to stay with their parents and caregivers, maintaining essential emotional bonds.

These legal protections underscore society's commitment to nurturing and protecting its youngest members, allowing them to thrive and contribute to a better future.

Implementing children's rights involves a shared responsibility among the child, family, government, governmental agencies, and society. Each right is accompanied by corresponding duties:

Duties of the Child

• Respect for Parents, Supervisors, and Elders: Children are responsible for displaying respect towards their parents, supervisors, and elders. Additionally, they should provide assistance when needed.
• Service to Nation/Community: Children are expected to contribute to their nation or community by utilizing their physical and intellectual capabilities for the betterment of society.
• Enhancement of Moral Well-being: Children play a role in promoting the moral integrity and health of society through their conduct and actions.
• Respect for Ideals: Children have the duty to uphold values such as democracy, freedom, equality, humanness, honesty, and justice for all individuals.
• Harmonious Relations: Children are tasked with interacting with fellow society members who possess diverse cultural and religious values, doing so with a spirit of tolerance, dialogue, and consultation.

By recognizing these duties and acting upon them, children actively contribute to the betterment of their environment and the realization of their own rights.

Duties of the Parents

The parents play a pivotal role in upholding and executing the rights of the child, which involves a range of responsibilities:

• Provision of Parental Care and Guidance: Parents are responsible for providing essential care and guidance to their children.
• Home Training and Discipline: Parents should instill necessary home training and discipline to foster character development.
• Fostering a Positive Home Environment: Parents should create a home environment characterized by love, happiness, tolerance, and mutual understanding.
• Instilling Values of Labor and Respect: Parents should train their children to recognize the dignity of labor and the rights of others.
• Ensuring Family Food Security: Providing adequate nutrition is crucial for a child's optimal physical and mental growth.
• Protection from Harm: Parents are responsible for safeguarding their child from harm within the home environment.
• Ensuring Medical Care: Parents should ensure their child receives adequate medical care when sick.
• Complete Immunization: Ensuring the child receives complete immunizations to protect against preventable diseases.
• Opportunities for Play and Social Interaction: Parents should provide opportunities for play and interaction with peers, promoting social development.
• Compulsory Basic Education: Parents are responsible for ensuring their child completes compulsory basic education.
• Continuation of Education: If basic education is completed, parents should ensure the child progresses to senior secondary school or pursues appropriate vocational training.
• Protection from Labor and Abuse: Parents should safeguard their child from engaging in child labor and protect them from abuse.
• Cultural and Religious Values: Parents should teach the child the language and cultural values of their society.
• Protection from Negative Influences: Parents should shield their child from corrupting influences from media and publications.
• Respect for Human Dignity: Teaching the child to respect the dignity of human life is essential for character development.
• Religious Exploration: Parents should guide the child in observing the family's religion until the child can make an informed choice.

The parents or caregivers bear a substantial responsibility as the primary executors of the child's rights.

Duties of Government

The government holds an important role in ensuring the well-being of children through the fulfillment of certain duties:

• Reducing Mortality: Establish mechanisms to reduce infant and child mortalities, prioritizing healthcare access.
• Healthcare Facilities: Provide well-equipped medical facilities, especially primary health care services for children and women.
• Training of Health Workers: Ensure healthcare professionals are adequately trained to provide proper care for children.
• Hygiene and Sanitation: Implement measures to ensure good hygiene and environmental sanitation to combat communicable diseases.
• Education: Provide adequate facilities for free compulsory basic education, ensuring access for all children.

Through these actions, the government contributes to creating a nurturing environment for children's development and well-being.