A convergence for child rights
From Oghogho Obayuwana, Abuja
IMAGINE a West Africa today where families do not routinely bear the burden of dying from avoidable diseases. Imagine also a West Africa where clean water and environment are taken for granted, where two generations had received sound primary education and where the needy receive government assistance!
These, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Regional Director for West Africa, Dr. Gianfranco Rotigliano and the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), Dr. Ibn Chambas, would be just some of the benefits already enjoyed today if the spirit of the UN cConvention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) had been implemented by the various governments.
Rotigliano and Chambas made the assertion in Abuja at the weekend at a joint briefing to mark the 20th anniversary of the CRC. They used the occasion to make a strong case for the rights convention as a critical platform to achieving meaningful development in the region.
The CRC is the most widely ratified international human rights treaty. But its implementation has left much to be desired. Together with its twin instrument - the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child - have been ratified by virtually all the countries in the region and reinforced further when the ECOWAS Heads of State declared a full decade to promote the rights of the child (2001-2010).
In spite of these measures, however, official statistics reveal that West and Central Africa have some of the most acute issues affecting children in the world. Around three million children die before they reach their fifth birthday, 25 million are out of school and a third of all maternal deaths in the world are in these regions, just as much more needs to be done to ensure the inclusion of children living with disability in the national and regional protection plans as well as safeguarding their right to a fulfilled and empowered life.
The anniversary also featured among others the presentation of a film -Where the water meets the sky - shot in Zambia as well as the story told by 16-year-old Femi Adewale of himself, a truant who was rescued by the Child-to-Child Network in Lagos from being further abused and possibly trafficked. In both cases, the ordeal of orphans in the society was highlighted, including the grabbing of possessions left behind by departing parents, by family members, and the fact that poor income and ignorance of diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) will exert its revenge in any unsuspecting society.
Earlier, Chambas had reiterated how valued children are in the thinking and working of the sub-regional group. He stressed that the CRC has four clusters of universal and indivisible rights relating to child survival, development, protection and participation.
He noted that an ECOWAS Child Policy was adopted recently to underscore "the value of children in the ECOWAS region as important assets for self actualization and intergenerational continuity, yet they confront several problems arising from the transformations of the region through the twin process of rapid and uneven rural/urban migration and modernisation."
He spoke further on the ECOWAS decade long declaration as something that affirms the critical role of children in the future of the region and knowledge that peace, stability, security, democracy and sustainable development will be obtained primarily by investing in children.
According to him: "It formulated outstanding objectives which should lead to a social transformation of the region in favour of the child. It stipulates priority of the child in the allocation of resources and the adoption of political, legislative and budgetary measures to provide the basic needs and amenities...the conditions of special categories of hidden and vulnerable children such as HIV/AIDS orphans, victims of armed conflicts, beggars, slaves and children with disabilities are recognized as necessitating poverty alleviation as well as special protection treatment, rehabilitation and integration..."
Urging everyone to watch more consciously for the new challenges ahead, Rotigliano said: "Africa as a whole is about to face new challenges. We still do not know the full effects of the global financial crisis and the reduction in demand for commodities at a time when food prices have risen. This is a perfect storm for a region where so many children suffer malnutrition and families live from hand to mouth. Similarly, we cannot be clear on the effect of climate change. But we are sure Africa will feel the brunt, with very grim prospects for the large number of the vulnerable in the region."
The evolution of international standards on child rights_
1924
The League of Nations adopts the Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child. The declaration establishes children's rights to means for material, moral and spiritual development; special help when hungry, sick, disabled or orphaned; first call on relief when in distress; freedom from economic exploitation; and an upbringing that instills a sense of social responsibility.
1948
The UN General Assembly passes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which refers in Article 25 to childhood as "entitled to special care and assistance."
1959
The UN General Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which recognizes rights such as freedom from discrimination and the rights to a name and nationality. It also specifically enshrines children's rights to education, healthcare and special protection.
1966
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are adopted. The covenants advocate protection for children from exploitation and promote the right to education.
1973
The International Labour Organisations adopts Convention No. 128 on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, which sets 18 years as the minimum age for work that might be hazardous to an individual's health, safety or morals.
1979
The UN General Assembly adopts the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, which provides protection for the human rights of girls as well as women. It also declares 1979 as International Year of the Child, which sets in motion the working group to draft a legally binding Convention on the Rights of the Child.
1989
The UN General Assembly unanimously approves the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which enters into force the following year.
1990
The 1990 World Summit for Children adopts the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children along with a plan of action for implementing it in the 1990s.
1999
The International Labour Organisation adopts Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.
2000
The UN General Assembly adopts two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child: One on the involvement of children in armed conflict, the other on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.
2002
The UN General Assembly holds a Special Session on Children, meeting for the first time to specifically discuss children's issues. Hundreds of children participate as members of official delegations, and world leaders commit themselves to a compact on child rights, 'A World Fit for Children.'
2007
The five-year follow-up to the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children ends with a Declaration on Children adopted by more than 140 governments. The Declaration acknowledges progress achieved and the challenges that remain, and reaffirms commitment to the World Fit for Children compact, the Convention and its Optional Protocols.
