What the UN CRC means for me and the realization of my rights, as a child living in South Africa - Philile Protasia Makhanya (16 years)
As a child living in South Africa, there are many challenges that I face every day. There are many things that happen around me that can prevent me from reaching my potential, but with the Convention on the Rights of Child, I have an equal chance when compared to every other child in South Africa.
Today, I know that I have rights that protect me, as stated in the Convention of Rights of the Child, rights that protect my dignity and worth, and to be respected, regardless of race, colour, gender, language, religion opinion, origins, wealth, birth, status or ability. As a black South African girl, that makes me realise that I can achieve anything, if I put my mind to it and apply hard work, because, I will not be discriminated against by anyone in any way, because I have rights, like everyone else.
In South Africa, years ago, I would not have been given an equal opportunity to pursue my dreams, because I was black. I am not stating this to dwell on the past and hold a grudge, but it is to highlight the achievements that we have had since then, because I firmly believe that it is important to know the past in order to pursue the future.
In many cases, children do not realise their rights as children living in South Africa (and in the rest of the world). As a result, they get caught in child exploitation, abuse and harmful influences such as child labour, child pornography and drugs. They do not report it because they think that the perpetrators are superior to them. But, with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, many children will realise that they have rights that protect them from such things. Children are the future and they need to be preserved for the development of countries in the world. If the exploitation of children continues, where will we reach? How much will become too much?
My understanding of the four core principles of the convention, which are: non-discrimination; devotion to the best interest of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child, will ensure that I will develop myself, having good principles, ethics and morals, because I know that an obligation was taken for me to retain my dignity. I will also ensure that I apply the same principles to the people around me.
As a child, I have been exposed to many opportunities that have made my life better forever. I come from a township south of Durban, and I go to a public school. I receive an education because I have a right to education and this has given me an opportunity to enter the Model United Nations Debate, which is taking me to New York to participate in an international debate. All this is possible because of all the opportunities that have been put in place for me, and other children like me, by the Convention.
Many people take children for granted, because they believe that they do not have the power to defend themselves. But we, as children, are fortunate that, as children, we now have organizations that obligate themselves to do whatever it takes to make children aware of their rights to make sure that the dignity of children is preserved. However, we must always be aware that with rights, come responsibilities. In wanting to achieve our rights, we must remember the responsibilities that go with these rights.
I can truly say that I am proud to be a South African, because I can live my life as a free, independent child, and face the challenges that life throws at me.
