Emphasizing children's rights at the heart of SDG acceleration

Botswana's Youth Advocate Cathrine Mantswe joins US First Lady Dr. Biden and UNICEF's Executive Director Catherine Russell in emphasizing the crucial role of children's rights in advancing SDGs acceleration.

Speaking at the event, themed "Champions for Children: Child Rights at the Heart of the Global Goals," Mantswe, brought attention to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on Education. She emphasized the often-overlooked aspect of education: inclusivity. Mantswe, who was born with a rare form of disability, said that every child should have access to quality learning regardless of their ability. She added that inclusivity is a critical component of achieving quality education for all.

“When we talk about education, we forget to attach the important word – inclusivity," said Mantswe.

Mantswe also participated in SDG Action Week, the Youth Advocate Mobilization Lab, and also took time to reflect on UNICEF's newly launched Inclusion Policy.

Speaking at the same event, the First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, emphasized the significance of establishing a global continuum of care for children throughout their life journey, highlighting that young people are not just the future, but also the present. Dr. Biden stressed that by providing comprehensive support from the early stages of life, we enable children to become the individuals they aspire to be.

For her part, UNICEF Executive Director Cathy Russell underscored the necessity of focusing on reaching the most vulnerable, especially children, who are in dire need of collective support. Russell emphasized the importance of placing children's rights and well-being at the forefront of these efforts, with particular attention to those who are marginalized and disadvantaged, as they are at the highest risk of being left behind.

UNICEF hosted a high-profile session on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, where prominent dignitaries, high-level officials, and influencers converged to highlight the utmost importance of prioritizing the protection of children's rights within national and global initiatives aimed at expediting progress toward achieving the SDGs.