Child rights monitoring
Monitoring and assessment are essential to protecting and fulfilling child rights
The challenge
In 1994, the Kyrgyz Republic ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child – an international agreement aimed at the full protection of children’s civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. By joining this human rights treaty, the country committed to ensure the realization of child rights and monitor progress about children.
The Convention has inspired Kyrgyzstan to many changes, such as incorporating child rights principles into legislation, developing national policies that promote children’s rights and establishing the Office of the Commissioner for Child Rights.
Despite this progress, some of the provisions of the Convention are still not fully implemented. Still many children continue to suffer violations of their rights when they are denied adequate health care, nutrition, education, and protection from violence. Childhoods continue to be cut short when children are forced to leave school, do hazardous work, or get married.
The solution
UNICEF works with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, civil society organizations and other partners in the country to systematically monitor child rights, equity and gender disparities. Through technical assistance, UNICEF strengthens government ability to collect, analyse and utilize data on children's wellbeing. This includes supporting surveys such as the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, training relevant specialists, and supporting a dedicated child data portal.
UNICEF also provides technical assistance to the Government on reporting to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, an elected body of independent experts that monitors the Convention's implementation.
As a state party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Kyrgyz Republic is required to submit regular reports on the status of children’s rights in the country. UNICEF is striving to ensure that children and young people are engaged in the monitoring and reporting process so that their voices are heard.
Furthermore, UNICEF advocates the inclusion of child rights indicators in national development plans and budgets. By demonstrating the correlation between investment in children's rights and positive development outcomes, UNICEF encourages increased government spending on areas such as health and social protection.
High quality monitoring and data can help to identify gaps in service delivery and inform the government’s decision-making and reporting on Sustainable Development Goals. All of this is critical for creating a better environment for children to thrive and reach their full potential.