The Convention on the Rights of the Child seeks to protect and guarantee the rights recognized for boys, girls and adolescents.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is a commitment that, in 1989 , world leaders assumed when approving a treaty promoted by the United Nations Organization with the purpose of protecting and recognizing the rights possessed by people under eighteen years of age. .
This provision of international scope aims to defend and promote the human rights of girls, boys and adolescents , which cover everything from aspects related to their health and nutrition to issues related to their education , privacy and freedom .
It is an agreement enriched by dozens of articles accepted by representatives of almost two hundred countries. The content is aimed at preserving the right to life, survival and development ; Ensure the best interests of the child , encourage non-discrimination and give space and respect to children's participation .
Principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
By subscribing and ratifying accession to the Convention on the Rights of the Child , each State has the obligation to guarantee to individuals who have not yet reached the age of 18 all their rights without distinction of nationality, skin color, creed, gender, race, language, etc.
Although much progress has been made in this regard, there is still a long way to go to achieve universal compliance with this treaty. Furthermore, the constant evolution and changing dynamics of societies pose new challenges associated with protecting minors from the dangers inherent to the massive use of technology and mental health care, for example.
In Argentine territory, to describe a specific case for reference, the Convention was ratified in 1990 and, seasons later, it acquired constitutional status. A law was later passed, number 26,061 , focused on the comprehensive protection of the rights of children and young people in order to enforce, in practice, the guidelines of the aforementioned Convention .
In this framework, it is advocated to satisfy and respect the guarantees and rights that allow full growth and development, give them voice and freedom so that the child's opinion is taken into account.
In Argentina , a national application program has also been born that has been named “JUGar” and addresses the right to play and recreation . Because children should always grow up in harmonious family environments where there is an absolute commitment to child care and protection ; where love , containment and happiness reign; in homes in which good habits and values are instilled; and in spaces with opportunities to rest , learn , play and express themselves freely.
Girls and boys deserve to have the right to play guaranteed, to have fun, recreate, socialize and learn in recreational contexts.
Problems and realities that affect children
Although there are many organizations, foundations and social movements that work to defend the rights of children , there are a large number of babies and children throughout the planet who do not have the basic conditions to navigate a worry-free, normal, healthy, stable and happy childhood.
Violence against children does not recognize borders, unfortunately. Statistics show the existence of numerous victims of child abuse and children subjected to sexual exploitation .
Nor can we ignore that the childhood of millions of human beings is canceled or impeded as a result of armed conflicts that, among their multiple consequences, cause a wave of refugee children who flee their homes to survive or have hope for the future. Natural disasters exacerbated by climate change are also significantly increasing the rates of forced displacement of thousands of families.
Boys and girls around the world would have to grow up in adequate housing, protected by the affection and support of mothers, fathers or guardians. They deserve to receive nutrition according to their needs, to socialize, to have daily moments of recreation and fun , to be respected both in their thoughts and in their physical integrity and to have access to periodic health check-ups. However, the childhood and youth of many are ruined by family abandonment, domestic violence , abuse , subjugation translated into child labor , lack of protection and child trafficking , among other situations.
Children must be cared for, educated, loved, given good examples and provided with tools so that they can develop in freedom, feeling accompanied and safe.
News linked to the Convention on the Rights of Children
After approving a ruling that raises the criminal age on Peruvian soil to 16 years, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) issued a statement to remember that there are articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child focused on the protection of children and young people, who cannot and should not be tried or sentenced under the regime established for adults.
Likewise, taking advantage of a new anniversary of the signing of the Convention on the Rights of Children , UNICEF and Aeropuertos del Perú established an alliance in 2024 to guarantee the right to play in childhood . In this context, educational initiatives were implemented to liven up the wait for a plane to take off with moments of fun and learning . At the same time, the gathering of people is used to spread the work of UNICEF and raise awareness among travelers about the problems and challenges that many children and adolescents currently face on the Peruvian surface.