20 November 2009
Major developments have been made in delivering many of the freedoms laid down in the convention – such as education, health and a clean environment.
But DFID remains committed to empowering those who remain restricted by the denial of their basic rights.
Of the world’s 1.8 billion children, 90% live in developing countries and many experience a lack of food, water, healthcare and education.
DFID is strongly committed to work towards children achieving their full potential as laid down in the UN Convention for the Rights of the Child.
It is the most wide-ranging human rights treaty in existence and has been widely ratified - only the US and Somalia among UN members are not signed up to it.
Its 54 articles protect children in areas spanning civil, political, economic, social and cultural life.This year, our focus is centred on the rights of girls – central to our work on gender equality and reinforced in our White Paper commitments.
Partnerships with the World Bank, the Population Council, the Nike Foundation and Plan International all include programmes to better girls’ lives.
For the 500 million girls and young women in the developing world, chances of a fulfilling and productive adult life remain limited.
Article six of the convention states that all children have a right to survival and development but in India, for example, a girl is 61% more likely to die between the ages of one and five than a boy.
All chidren have the right to education - article 28 - but some 41 million girls in the global south are missing out on a basic education.
And on the right to the best possible health - article 24 - girls and young women under the age of 24 in sub-Saharan Africa are three times more likely to be HIV-infected than boys and young men.
Evidence shows one additional year of secondary schooling can increase a girl’s wages by up to 20%.
She is more likely to have a smaller, healthier family and start to break free of the poverty that has surrounded her.
Key Facts:
- 90% of the world's 1.8 billion children live in developing countries.
- Of those children, one-third are under the age of 15.
- The UN Convention on the Right of the Child is a human rights treaty that sets out a comprehensive set of rights for children aged 17 and under.
- On 20 November, 1989, UN General Assembly members (including the UK) voted
- It was signed by the UK on April 19, 1990, ratified on December 16, 1991 and it came into force on January 15, 1992.
Over 40 substantive rights are contained in the convention including:
- Special protection measures and assistance.
- Access to services such as education and healthcare.
- Developing personalities, abilities and talents to the fullest potential.
- Growing up in an environment of happiness, love and understanding.
- Being informed about and participating in achieving their rights in an accessible and active way.