Op-Ed: Listening to Tomorrow’s Leaders: Why Child Rights Cannot Wait

By Rudolf Schwenk, UNICEF Representative in Sierra Leone

On 20 November, Sierra Leone joins the world in marking World Children’s Day — a day that commemorates the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. Sierra Leone ratified the CRC in 1990, signaling its commitment to uphold the rights of every child. Since then, the country has taken important steps — from passing the Child Rights Act in 2007 to strengthening its legal framework again in 2025 with a new Child Rights Act. These reforms, alongside expanded access to education, healthcare, safe drinking water, and stronger child protection systems, show progress. Yet, despite these gains, nearly 4 million children in Sierra Leone — a country with one of the youngest populations globally — still face challenges such as poverty, early marriage, and violence  — a reminder that the promise of 1990 calls for renewed commitment and action.

Ratifying the CRC placed a clear responsibility on Sierra Leone’s duty bearers — Parliament, Government, and all institutions — to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of every child. The Convention is not just a statement of principles; it is a binding commitment to implement laws, policies, and budgets that make these rights real. As a State Party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Sierra Leone has a responsibility to make these rights a reality for every child. These principles should guide all decisions and investments for children’s future. Working together — government, civil society, and partners — we can accelerate progress and deliver on these commitments.

This means ensuring access to education, health care, nutrition, clean water and sanitation, protection from violence, and a robust social protection system — while promoting safe and clean environments. And it means holding ourselves accountable by translating promises into action so that no child is left behind.

This year’s commemoration focuses on putting children at the center of decision-making, grounding action in evidence, and investing in key sectors essential for children — while ensuring these sectors are designed and implemented in a child-sensitive way. Children across Sierra Leone — including those with disabilities — are leading the conversation. Through a national Children’s Parliamentary Dialogue and insights from young people gathered via U-Report, Sierra Leone is demonstrating that meaningful participation and inclusive governance are essential to building a child-rights-focused future.

Children in Sierra Leone today stand at a crossroads. While progress has been made in education, health, and protection, new and persistent challenges threaten these gains. Child poverty continues to push families into cycles of hardship; schools need improved learning environments and access to technology; violence at home, in schools, and in communities remains a reality; health and nutrition gaps persist, especially for newborns and young children; climate change increasingly affects their safety and dreams; and children with disabilities still face barriers to inclusion.

Yet children are not passive victims of circumstance. Across Sierra Leone, young people are speaking out — advocating for education, climate action, peace, and gender equality. Their courage and leadership remind us that child rights are not aspirational; they are non-negotiable. Every child has the right to survive, to learn, to be protected, and to participate in decisions that affect their lives.

As UNICEF Representative, I have seen firsthand the extraordinary resilience and leadership of Sierra Leone’s children. I have met children who walk miles every day just to attend school, children raising awareness about climate change in their communities, and children with disabilities advocating fearlessly for inclusion. Their voices guide us. But inspiration is not enough. We must act.

As part of the celebrations, children from all 16 districts will engage directly with lawmakers through a national Children’s Parliamentary Dialogue. They will share their lived experiences, concerns, and ideas for advancing children’s rights, and convey their vision for a child-rights-inclusive Parliament. This session is designed to be child-led, inclusive, and participatory, ensuring representation from every district.

A recent U-Report poll capturing the views of 150 children and adolescents revealed that while many know they have rights, nearly one-third feel these rights are only sometimes respected. This is a wake-up call.

We call on all Parliamentarians and the Government to make this engagement meaningful by listening to children and acting on their recommendations. Beyond dialogue, we must prioritize investments in social protection and child welfare — and ensure that health, education, and WASH services put children’s needs at the center. Every policy and budget decision should reflect the principle that children come first.

These children are not only the voices of today — they are the leaders of tomorrow. By listening to them now, we invest in a future where governance is inclusive, rights are respected, and every child has the opportunity to thrive.

The future of Sierra Leone depends on the choices we make today. Let us listen to children. Let us act for children. Because when we uphold their rights, we build a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous Sierra Leone for all.