Enhance Children’s Advocacy Strategies for World Children’s Day 2023

By Counsel Tshepo Ambassador from South Africa

The PLATFORM for the NEEDY (PLANE) joins the international community in observing World Children’s Day on 20th November 2023. This year’s theme, “For Every Child, Every Right,” highlights the dedication to maintaining the freedoms of every child around the world. Since the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, much progress has been made in promoting children’s rights. However, there is still significant work to be done globally and in Uganda.

The Importance of Protecting Children’s Rights

Despite ongoing efforts, UNICEF emphasizes the urgency of protecting children’s rights now more than ever. The world is increasingly unsafe for children due to various compounding crises, including economic downturns, climate change, public health emergencies, and heightened conflict. These interconnected crises, known as a poly-crisis, disproportionately affect the poorest and most marginalized, exposing children to violence, displacement, malnutrition, disrupted education, and limited access to essential services.

Global Statistics on Children’s Rights

To emphasize the importance of monitoring children’s rights, consider these global statistics:

• Child Marriages: Although reduced since the 1990s, 12 million girls are still married prematurely each year.
• Child Labour: Over 20% of children in the poorest countries engage in child labour, denying them education and other rights.
• Unsafe Water: Over 1,000 children die daily from drinking unsafe water.
• Extreme Poverty: 1 in 6 children globally lives on less than $1.90 a day, severely impacting their development.
• Education: 175 million children are not enrolled in pre-primary education.

Children’s Rights in Uganda

Uganda ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, committing to protect and promote children’s rights. However, several challenges persist:

• Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic increased domestic violence, defilement, and teenage pregnancies, with over 1,050 cases reported daily.
• Violent Disciplinary Actions: 85% of children in Uganda have experienced at least one violent disciplinary action.
• Education: Recent statistics show school attendance rates of 38% (ages 3-5), 90% (ages 6-12), 78% (ages 13-18), and 23% (ages 19-24). Efforts must continue to keep children in school to ensure their right to education and better future prospects.
• Child Labour: 6.2 million children aged 5-17 are involved in child labour, which hinders their education and exposes them to exploitation.
• Drought in Karamoja: The drought has threatened the survival of over 20,000 children, with 55% of the population in the region suffering from food insecurity.

Initiatives to Protect Children’s Rights

Despite these challenges, several initiatives have made significant strides:

• Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA): Over 193,000 children and adults learned key PSEA concepts in 2022.
• Gender-Based Violence Interventions: 19,000 women and children accessed risk mitigation, prevention, or response services.
• Teenage Pregnancy Campaign: The national campaign “Protect the Girl, Save the Nation” was launched, utilizing both online and offline tools.
• Public Awareness: Radio messages, dramas, and talk shows in local languages reached over 6.5 million people, raising awareness on defilement, child marriage, and positive parenting.

PLANE is committed to continuing its efforts to protect and promote children’s rights in Uganda.

Join the Movement

Help us in our mission to protect children’s rights. Share this post, engage in advocacy, and join the global effort this World Children’s Day.