Convention on the Rights of the Child

UNICEF publications

UNICEF produces a wide range of publication with analyses and information of interest to governments, civil society, the media and others concerned with the well-being of children. Several of UNICEF's publications are essential resources and reference documents for using the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocols to promote and protect children’s rights. These include:

A World Fit for Children (pdf). This book is a resource for those working to improve the lives of children. It contains documents such as the Millennium Development Goals, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and documents of the UN General Assembly's Special Session on Children

Adult Wars, Child Soldiers (pdf). This report, containing the words of current and former child soldiers, draws attention to the reality of issue in the East Asia and Pacific region. It also identifies ways to reduce and end the involvement of children in these conflicts.

The Implementation Handbook for the Convention on the Rights of the Child (hardcopy can be ordered). This Handbook provides a record and analysis of the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. There are ‘Implementation Checklists (pdf)’ for each article. The Handbook includes the two Optional Protocols to the Convention, and their guidelines for reporting.

The Guide to the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict (pdf). Produced by UNICEF and the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, the Guide provides an overview of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on children in armed conflict, including key provisions and the legislative processes involved for signature and ratification or accession. The Guide aims to support child rights advocates in their work for ratification and implementation of the Optional Protocol.

Child Protection: A Handbook for Parliamentarians (pdf). This IPU/UNICEF co-publication, outlines measures parliamentarians can take to protect children and promote their rights, including adopting and enforcing strong laws protecting children, overseeing government activity, allocating financial resources, raising awareness and providing advocacy.

More UNICEF publications are available at http://www.unicef.org/publications/index_3770.html