Children's rights and legal protections

Child Rights

Children's Rights

What are the main debates on equality on the MDGs post 2015, and how is this important for the children's well-being?

There are many debatable items and priorities that are associated the ongoing efforts in the 2015 Millennium Development Goals. One of the main priorities is to eradicate poverty. This is no easy task and has been a goal for the group since its origin. However, this issue is important to children in many ways. One particular way to help eradicate poverty is through education; especially the education of young females.

One of the reasons education is especially important for young women is that education is linked to the age at which women marry and have children. In sub-Saharan Africa and in South and West Asia, child marriage affects one in eight girls; one in seven gives birth by the age of 17; education can empower these girls to have a say over their life choices -- by giving them the confidence to speak up for their rights, and to demand the opportunity to continue their studies (Rose). One analysis indicated that if all girls in sub-Saharan Africa and South and West Asia had primary education, it would result in fourteen percent fewer child marriages; furthermore, if all girls received a secondary education, 64% fewer girls would be locked into marriage at an age when they should still be in school. Thus female education could add a significant contribution to eradicating poverty.

2. What are the fundamental principles of both human rights (HR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)? How does the HR and CRC differ, how are they similar? Why is the CRC a relevant instrument, and what are some of the criticisms that the HR and the CRC have received? Do human rights apply equally across countries? explain why or why not.

In theory, human rights apply to equally to all countries. However, in practice, this is obviously not the case. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenants on Human Rights, proclaimed and agreed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status (United Nations). However, special provisions were added for children. Children by themselves are more vulnerable to all kinds of external influences than adults are.

One example can be provided in Article 3 which states:

1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.

2. States Parties undertake to ensure the child such protection and care as is necessary for his or her well-being, taking into account the rights and duties of his or her parents, legal guardians, or other individuals legally responsible for him or her, and, to this end, shall take all appropriate legislative and administrative measures.

Therefore this takes into account the fact that the guardian certainly has a role to play in the child's development.

3. What is the Central debate on poverty and children living in poverty? Discuss concepts and measures.

Official estimates of global poverty (based on levels of consumption) are compiled by the World Bank and stretch back 30 years; the Bank's most recent estimate is for the year 2005, when 1.37 billion people were believed to be living under the international poverty line of $1.25 a day (UNICEF). One of the central debates in child poverty is inequality. Some argue that the obvious answer is to redistribute resources directly to the poor and bring them above the poverty line. However, the opposing side believes that they must address their own poverty issues through domestic economic development.