#ForEveryChild
“A person’s person, no matter how small.”
– Dr. Seuss
Know Your Rights
All children below 18 have special rights, from the very day they are born. These rights allow you to live a happy life, and they give you a bright future! And here’s the important thing – no one can take these rights away from you! If everyone recognises the rights of children, the world would be a much better place.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), you have the right to:
Article 1
Everyone under 18 has these rights
Article 2
All children have all the rights without discrimination. No child should be treated unfairly no matter their race, religion, culture or language; whether they are a girl or boy; where they live or where they come from; whether they are rich or poor; what their parents do; or whether they have a disability.
Article 3
All adults should do what is best for you. When adults make decisions, they should think about how their decisions will affect children.
Governments should make sure children are protected and looked after by their parents, or by other people when this is needed. Governments should make sure that people and places responsible for looking after children are doing a good job.
Article 4
Your government has a responsibility to make sure your rights are protected. They must help your family protect your rights and create an environment where you can grow and reach your potential.
Article 5
Your family has the responsibility to help you learn to exercise your rights, and to ensure that your rights are protected.
Article 22
You have the right to special protection and help if you are a refugee (if you have been forced to leave your home and live in another country), as well as all the rights in this Convention.
Article 23
You have the right to special education and care if you have a disability, as well as all the rights in this Convention, so that you can live a full life. Governments should remove all obstacles for children with disabilities to become independent and to participate actively in the community.
Article 41
If the laws of your country provide better protection of your rights than the articles in this Convention, those laws should apply.
Article 42
You have the right to know your rights! Adults should know about these rights and help you learn about them, too.
Article 6
You have the right to be alive. Governments must make sure that children survive and develop in the best possible way.
Article 24
You have the right to the best health care possible, safe water to drink, nutritious food, a clean and safe environment, and information to help you stay well.
Article 26
You have the right to help from the government if you are poor or in need.
Article 27
You have the right to food, clothing, a safe place to live and to have your basic needs met. You should not be disadvantaged so that you can’t do many of the things other kids can do.
Article 33
You have the right to protection from harmful drugs and from the drug trade.
Article 9
You have a right to live with your parent(s), unless it is bad for you. You have the right to live with a family who cares for you.
Article 10
If you live in a different country than your parents, you have the right travel and to stay in contact.
Article 18
You have the right to be raised by your parent(s) if possible. A “guardian” will have this responsibility when a child does not have any parents. Parents and guardians should always consider what is best for that child. Governments should help them.
Article 20
You have the right to special care and help if you cannot live with your parents
Article 23
You have the right to special education and care if you have a disability, as well as all the rights in this Convention, so that you can live a full life.
Article 25
If you live away from home – in care – you have the right to have these living arrangements looked at regularly to see if this is the best place for you.
Article 28
You have the right to a good quality education. You should be encouraged to go to school to the highest level that you can. Discipline in schools should never use violence.
Article 29
Your education should help you use and develop your talents and abilities. It should also help you learn to live peacefully, protect the environment and respect other people.
Article 31
You have the right to play and rest.
Article 11
You have the right to be protected from kidnapping by a parent or guardian.
Article 19
You have the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated in body or mind.
Article 20
You have the right to special care and help if you cannot live with your parents.
Article 21
You have the right to care and protection if you are adopted or in foster care.
Article 22
You have the right to special protection and help if you are a refugee (if you have been forced to leave your home and live in another country), as well as all the rights in this Convention.
Article 25
If you live in care or in other situations away from home, you have the right to have these living arrangements looked at regularly to see if they are the most appropriate.
Article 32
You have the right to protection from work that harms you, and is bad for your health and education. If you work, you have the right to be safe and paid fairly.
Article 33
You have the right to protection from drugs and the drug trade.
Article 34
You have the right to be free from sexual abuse.
Article 35
No one is allowed to kidnap or sell you.
Article 36
You have the right to protection from any kind of exploitation (being taken advantage of).
Article 37
No one is allowed to punish you in a cruel or harmful way if you are accused of breaking the law. Prison should always be the last choice and only for the shortest possible time.
Article 38
You have the right to protection and freedom from war. Children under 15 cannot be forced into the army or take part in war.
Article 39
You have the right to help if you’ve been hurt, neglected or badly treated so you can regain your dignity.
Article 40
You have the right to legal help and fair treatment in a justice system that respects your rights.
Article 7
All children have a right to a name and this should be recognised by the government.
Article 8
Like all children, you have the right to an identity – an official record of who you are. No one should take this away from you.
Article 12
You have the right to give your opinion, and for adults to listen and take it seriously.
Article 13
You have the right to find out things and share what you think with others, by talking, drawing, writing or in any other way unless it harms or offends other people.
Article 14
You have the right to choose your own religion and beliefs. Your parents should help you decide what is right and wrong, and what is best for you.
Article 15
You have the right to meet, make friends with, and join or set up clubs with other children, as long as it isn’t harmful to others.
Article 16
You have the right to privacy both offline and online.
Article 17
You have the right to get information from the Internet, radio, television, newspapers, books and other sources. Adults should make sure that the information produced for children is not harmful to your wellbeing.
Article 29
Your education should help you use and develop your talents and abilities. It should also help you learn to live peacefully, protect the environment and respect other people.
Article 30
You have the right to practice your own culture, language and religion – or any you choose. Minority indigenous groups need special protection of this right.
Article 31
You have the right to play and rest.
Change starts with YOUth
The best way to have an impact on your world is to make change at your local level
Learn
Get the facts and
learn about the
cause(s) you’re most
inspired about.
Speak out
respectfully
and responsibly
to create a better
world for all.
Volunteer
with local NGOs
to improve the
lives of people in
your community.
Change
beliefs, attitudes and
behaviours – yours and
others – to improve lives.
Innovate
Use your creativity and passion
to create and innovate to
transform people’s lives.