Celebrating 30 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
For every child, every right
Thirty years ago, something incredible happened, world leaders came together in a moment of rare global unity and made a historic commitment to the world’s children. They made a promise to every child to protect and fulfil their rights, by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC), an international law on childhood. Contained in this law is a profound idea: that children are not just little people rather, they are human beings and individuals with their own rights.
Why Does the 30th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Matter?
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history, and in the 30 years since its adoption, it has helped to transform children’s lives. It has inspired Governments to change laws and policies and undertake investments so that more children finally get the healthcare and nutrition they need to survive and develop; fewer children are forced to leave school, to do hazardous work, or to get married and there are better systems to protect children from violence and exploitation. It has also enabled more children to have a voice and participate in their societies.
UNICEF and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
Since 1989, when UNICEF was named in the text of the CRC, upholding the convention and advocating for the fulfilment of child rights has been at the heart of its mandate. For 30 years, we have been a recognized authority on child rights and we are respected for our expertise in translating the principles of child rights into actual results for children. In 2019, we are reaffirming our commitment to our mandate, both internally, and externally. The anniversary offers a chance to further demonstrate UNICEF’s core values and identity as a child rights organization.
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in Uganda
Uganda ratified the UN CRC in 1990, committing itself to putting children first so that they grow, survive and reach their full potential, as well as two Optional Protocols on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and the involvement of children in armed conflict, demonstrating its commitment towards protecting the rights of children. Today, there is much to celebrate in terms of developments around child rights, including declines in maternal mortality, rising school enrolment and registration of children at birth among others. Uganda also celebrates the adoption of the Children Amendment Act 2015 which established new protective legislation regarding the guardianship of children, inter-country adoption, and corporal punishment, originally not considered by the 1996 Children’s Statute, that limited child rights to basic needs of the child such as food, shelter, housing, clothing, education and health.
Uganda's journey after the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) articles
The Convention on the Rights of the Child explains who children are, all their rights and the responsibilities of governments. All the rights are connected, they are all equally important and they cannot be taken away from children.
