Cardiff has officially been declared as the UK’s first ever UNICEF accredited Child Friendly City. To be a Child Friendly City, Children’s Rights need to be embedded throughout Cardiff. It’s important that young people know about their rights. You might have heard of the saying ‘knowledge is power’ and this phrase applies here. If you have knowledge of your rights, you’re more likely to feel empowered to take a leading role in exercising these rights that you are entitled to.
Read these key questions to find out more about Children’s Rights…
What are children’s rights?
Children’s rights are like a set of promises and protections specifically for children and young people from 0-18 years old. These rights ensure that you are treated fairly, respected, and have the freedom to express yourself. They guarantee that you have the right to a safe and loving home, access to education, healthcare, and the opportunity to have a say in matters that affect your life, like decisions at school or in your community. Children’s rights also protect you from things like discrimination and exploitation. They are like a shield that ensures you are treated with dignity and have the chance to grow, learn, and thrive in a world that cares about your well-being and future.
What is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child?
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, also known as the UNCRC, is the mostly widely ratified international human rights treaty in history. It includes 54 articles which outline how children and young people should be treated as well as what adults should do to ensure that the rights are upheld.
Here is a summary of the UNCRC articles: https://www.unicef.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/UNCRC_summary-1_1.pdf
Why are their specific rights for Children and Young People?
Children and Young People are entitled to the same general human rights as adults. For example: Universal Declaration of Human rights, Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. However children and young people need specific rights which are just for them. Some of the reasons why children and young people require their own rights include:
- Children and Young People can be more vulnerable than other groups so they need extra protections
- Ensure that they are not discriminated against
- To recognise that children and young people are active citizens who make a valuable and unique contribution to society and so they need rights to recognise this
