Overview
In today's world there are strong forces working against giving children fair and equal access to a happy, productive and healthy existence. Children are often exploited as child labourers, child soldiers or in the child sex trade. These children experience physical and psychological abuse they will never forget.
In order to protect the rights of children, the United Nations created an agreement called the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989. This document outlines |
 |
all the human rights and protections children must have so they can be safe, respected and empowered. The convention covers all aspects of child rights, from the right to go to school to the right to be free from physical or sexual abuse. The convention has been signed by almost all member countries of the United Nations and yet children's rights are still violated around the world, each and every day. Without respect for their rights, children can't develop into adults who will help their communities grow stronger.
It's everyone's responsibility to make sure child rights are protected so future generations can contribute to making the world a better place.
War-affected children
In countries torn apart by war, children are often forced to trade their pens for guns. Around the world today, 300,000 children are fighting as child soldiers. 1 Most of these children are kidnapped from their families and given no choice but to fight.
Child soldiers have traumatic experiences during war that stay with them for the rest of their lives. In countries recovering from war, like Sierra Leone (in which 10,000 soldiers were children), former child soldiers need major support to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. 2
War also violates the rights of children who aren't fighting as soldiers. During war, girls are more likely to experience sexual assault, children witness violence that is psychologically traumatizing and many children are orphaned. Wars cause massive destruction, so that even when the violence is over, there is little hope for the future because schools, hospitals and homes have been destroyed.
Sexual exploitation
The commercial sexual exploitation of children is a form of dangerous child labour that has harmful, life-long impacts on its victims. Children who are forced to work in the sex trade suffer physical, emotional and sexual abuse each and every day. The emotional scars left by sexual exploitation last a lifetime.
Though there are no exact numbers, the best estimates show that as many as two million boys and girls are working in the commercial sex trade around the world. 3 Children very rarely choose to work in the sex trade. They often work as slaves, or they are living on the streets and have few other options.
Even though developing countries struggle with the commercial sexual exploitation of children the most, it's an international problem. Many sexual offenders from developed countries travel to developing regions to exploit children, because the laws in those countries are not well-enforced. This process is called "sex tourism."
Quick facts about child rights
• Around the world today, 300,000 children are fighting as child soldiers. 4
• In Sierra Leone's former civil conflict, 10,000 soldiers were children. 5
• As many as two million boys and girls are working in the commercial sex trade around the world. 6
• In 1998, the International Labour Organization estimated that two to 14 per cent of the gross domestic products of Indonesia , Malaysia , the Philippines and Thailand came from sex tourism. 7
 |
What you can do to help
Free The Children's Vow of Silence campaign raises awareness about child rights issues around the world. Sign up to take the vow and stand united with children around the world who have no voice, because their rights aren't protected. |
1. Human Rights Watch, Facts About Child Soldiers, http://www.humanrightswatch.org/campaigns/crp/facts.htm, as accessed August 8 2007.
2. United Nations Web page for kids, site about child soldiers in Sierra Leone , http://www.un.org/works/goingon/soldiers/goingon_soldiers.html, as accessed August 8 2007.
3. End Child Exploitation. UNICEF. http://www.unicef.org.uk/campaigns/campaign_sub_pages.asp?page=5, as accessed August 8 2007.
4. Human Rights Watch, Facts About Child Soldiers, http://www.humanrightswatch.org/campaigns/crp/facts.htm, as accessed August 8 2007.
5. United Nations Web page for kids, site about child soldiers in Sierra Leone, http://www.un.org/works/goingon/soldiers/goingon_soldiers.html, as accessed August 8 2007.
6. End Child Exploitation. UNICEF. http://www.unicef.org.uk/campaigns/campaign_sub_pages.asp?page=5, as accessed August 8 2007.
7. United States Department of Justice, Child Sex Tourism, http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/ceos/sextour.html, as accessed August 8 2007.
|
