Convention on the Rights of the Child

The Convention is the most ratified human rights treaty in history.  More than 190 countries have signed up to this vision of a brighter, safer, more equitable future for all our children: for every child, every right. Its 35^thanniversary is celebrated in 2024. 

Our region

There has been considerable progress in the region during the last three and a half decades. Child mortality has declined dramatically. 

Since the year 2000 there has been a 60 per cent drop in under-five deaths across Latin America and the Caribbean. We have made progress in terms of infrastructure: for example, most households now have fresh piped drinking water and sanitation facilities. In the sphere of education, literacy rates are relatively high, access to free primary and secondary schooling has become a reality for the vast majority of children and most under-fives are able to take advantage of early childhood development services.  

Challenges

However, much remains to be done to keep the promise of a better, richer life for children.  In the Eastern Caribbean, many of our education systems are not fit for the future world of work or higher education and do not accommodate children of differing abilities well enough. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, we are still trying to make up serious educational deficits that too many children faced when they were locked out of schooling for years, without the necessary tools for digital involvement.

The level of violence and abuse suffered by children, both from parents and teachers via corporal punishment or from other students at school, as well as instances of sexual abuse and exploitation, are also still too high.

As inhabitants of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), children in the Eastern Caribbean live in some of the most vulnerable countries on the planet as the threat of climate change transforms lives and livelihoods. They also often live in the shadow of poverty, social inequity and lack of opportunity.

Food insecurity, undernutrition or obesity (around one-third of our children are overweight or obese) and a rise in non-communicable diseases are also issues.    As is concern over young people’s mental health in increasingly stressful times: a recent U-report survey of children and youth in the Caribbean revealed that three-quarters of respondents felt the need to ask for help with their mental health.

Our promise

UNICEF is working with partners across a broad range of areas including education, child protection, social protection, climate, child participation and the response to emergencies such as hurricanes and volcanic eruptions to make a real difference in the lives of our children, as we strive to keep the promise. For every child, every right.