World’s Children Day

Theme: It’s time for generations to come together to reimagine the type of world we want to create.

By Constance Ndeleko

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.

As we celebrate this day in recognition of children and children’s rights; it is equally important that we protect and respect the needs and welfare of our children as a society and take responsibility to Investing in our future.

It’s a time to promote togetherness around the world, awareness of the problems children face in every corner of the globe, and improve the welfare of all children.

We have to realize and identify the needs of children and support them to ensure they realize their full potential.

This is what you should know about children:

This year, the COVID-19 crisis has resulted in a child rights crisis. The costs of the pandemic for children are immediate and, if unaddressed, may last a lifetime.

Covid-19 has frustrate the natural progress of children and it is paramount that governments should ensure that children have access to clean water, masks and remain protected even as they slowly re-open schools.

Violence, exploitation, discrimination – all everyday threats to the safety of refugee and migrant children and children affected by the horrors of conflict. The dangers to these children have only intensified as countries across the globe have battled the COVID-19 pandemic.

Children should be encouraged to go to school to the highest level possible. Discipline in schools should respect children’s rights and never use violence. No child should be discriminate from accessing basic education.

Governments must stop child trafficking, commercial sex imposed on children, pornography, child labor and child violence.

Every child has the right to be alive. Governments must make sure that children survive and develop in the best possible way.

Every child with a disability should enjoy the best possible life in society. Governments should remove all obstacles for children with disabilities to become independent and to participate actively in the community.

Children must be registered when they are born and given a name which is officially recognized by the government. Children must have a nationality (belong to a country).

Children have the right to give their opinions freely on issues that affect them. Adults should listen and take children seriously.

Every child has the right to privacy. The law must protect children’s privacy, family, home, communications and reputation (or good name) from any attack.

Children accused of breaking the law have the right to legal help and fair treatment. There should be lots of solutions to help these children become good members of their communities. Prison should only be the last choice.

Our future depends on young people. what should we do to reimagine a better world for every child?

1. Ensure all children learn, including by closing the digital divide. 
2. Guarantee access to health and nutrition services and make vaccines affordable and available to every child.
3. Support and protect the mental health of children and young people and bring an end to abuse, gender-based violence, and neglect in childhood. 
4. Increase access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene and address environmental degradation and climate change.  
5. Reverse the rise in child poverty and ensure an inclusive recovery for all. 
6. Redouble efforts to protect and support children and their families living through conflict, disaster and displacement.