Why we must observe children's rights

A sad child. (Courtesy)

There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than how it treats its children.” – Nelson Mandela

Wednesday, November 20th was World Children’s Day

Parenting and children are so important that in 1959, the United Nations General Assembly designated November 20th as an annual celebration of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) - the youngest members of global society.

On this day, parents and carers set aside a special time, guided by the UN General Assembly’s theme. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Listen to the Future”, as the global community takes a stand for children’s rights.

According to a statement from UNICEF, the day is a global day of action for children, by children, to commemorate the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The day is a global call to ensure children’s rights to health care, education and a safe and happy childhood.

“Children’s rights are human rights, and they are non-negotiable and are universal, though in too many places today, children’s rights are being misunderstood, disregarded, and attacked by their parents, carers, and society,” says Faith Baraka, a child’s rights activist.

The activist says that upholding children’s rights is the path to a better world today, tomorrow, and in the future.

“The day is an opportunity to amplify children’s voices and address issues they face, such as educational inequality, child labour, and inadequate access to healthcare, and is also a call to action for governments, organizations, and communities to implement policies that protect and empower children, ensuring they have a safe and nurturing environment to grow in,” says Faith.

The activist says the great Jawaharlal Nehru, fondly referred to as Chacha Nehru, India’s first prime minister is globally celebrated for his deep affection for children. He is also feted for the time he spent with children

“Parents or caregivers, play a critical role in nurturing a child’s voice and honour their innocence, and so they should dedicate time not only during the UN Children’s Day but every time, you find a moment to show them love and affection,” says the children rights activist.

Here are some ideas to help you navigate beyond the Children’s Day:

Take part in their special school events – Shower your children with affection, presents, and pampering during these school events, such as sports day, family outings, and other unique activities and celebrations for the children. Remember to appreciate and give the future generation with gifts of acknowledgement such as cards, books, and food

“Remember to mark your calendar for other events in your children’s life such as dancing, music, swimming, essays, speeches, debates, games, and art, as such events shape their future,” says Faith.

Bake a cake together - Family activities always create the most cherished memories. Research has shown that children who spend time in the kitchen with their parents develop a sense of responsibility and achievement.

Finally, says Kelvin Keli, a father of three boys and a girl, “Celebrating by baking and cooking together and enjoying great recipes is always a welcome and great idea for the family as it brings them together to participate in the preparation of a family meal, creating a great bonding moment.

Have a photo session - From time to time (on Children’s Day and other special days), choose a theme for the day and agree with the children on how they should dress for the special photo session. These family photos can be hung in the living room and on the walls as a constant reminder of the children’s growth.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) moments - Set aside special time for DIY moments at home and school, such as using mud and clay to make artistic household items such as pans, spoons and flower pots; making paper boats; cutting stars out of construction paper; and making your fairy lights (especially for Christmas and New Year).

Such DIY projects can encourage young people to be creative and artistic and bring out the best in their creative minds.

Watch a film or play together - Set aside time to discuss with your children the films and plays they love. Make a list and then plan to watch a film or play and the days you plan to watch a film or play in the comfort of your home.

There are many applications that offer a variety of short and long documentaries and plays, so watching a film at home as a family is within your reach.

“You can actually invest in this by setting up a projector in the living room, engaging the children to take the imagination further by constructing a temporary tent with curtains, decorating them with fairy lights, letting everyone dress in pyjamas and cuddle while viewing their favourite movies or play,” says Keli.

Attend parties with the children – Besides attending parties such as weddings, birthdays, grandparents and other parties, where the children can have a great time, the father of four says it is equally glorifying for a family to ‘host’ a family party.

“We do this whenever we have time to ‘host’ our party, and let our hair down to play our favourite tunes, and we get to have our wild dance party as a family,” says Juliana Keli.

The mother to David, Ian, Mike, and Nana (the Kelis) says, she and her husband make the most of these special family days to contribute to the memory board with amusing antics and innocent giggles.

If you are not sure where to start your parenting journey or are in doubt about your current parenting style, look no further – dive into the World Children’s Day pack for parents on UNICEF’s website. You will find creative activities and discussion topics.

Still, says Juliana, you can with your child questions like:

What kind of world do you want to live in when you grow up?

What are some things you would like to change about the world?

How do you think we can make the future better for everyone?