Children’s Rights power point presentation

study notes

1. Children’s Rights

2. Definition Children are any humans below the age of eighteen years. Children’s rights are human rights of children. Children’s rights apply to all children around the world. They are universal.

3. Types of rights Children's rights are defined in numerous ways, including a wide spectrum of civil, cultural, economic, social and political rights. Rights tend to be of two general types: those advocating for children as autonomous persons under the law and those placing a claim on society for protection from harms perpetrated on children because of their dependency.

4. One Canadian organization categorizes children's rights into three categories: Provision : Children have the right to an adequate standard of living , health care , education and services, and to play and recreation . Protection : Children have the right to protection from abuse , neglect, exploitation and discrimination. Participation : Children have the right to participate in communities and have programs and services for themselves. This includes children's involvement in libraries and community programs, youth voice activities, and involving children as decision-makers .

5. Environmental, cultural and developmental rights , which are sometimes called " third generation rights ," and including the right to live in safe and healthy environments and that groups of people have the right to cultural, political, and economic development

6. Economic, social and cultural rights , related to the conditions necessary to meet basic human needs such as food, shelter, education, health care, and gainful employment.

7. THE CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

8. The right to education. The right to be listened to. The right to good food. The right to clean water. The right to decent shelter.

9. The right to be cared for. The right to protection and security. The right to a name. The right to decent clothing. The right to play. The right to life.

10. Freedom of speech Freedom of thought Freedom from fear Freedom of choice and the right to make decisions Ownership over one's body

11. The Right to Life HIV/AIDS and inadequate care are challenging the Rights of Life, maximum survival and development. Infected children do not enjoy the opportunity to develop to their maximum potential. ECD teachers therefore should educate communities on the importance of life and the need to discourage teenage girls from committing abortion because every child has a right to life.

12. The Right to Health .Accessibility to health facilities and services is a very big problem for most of the children in marginalised communities.

13. Teenage mothers lack knowledge on how to care for their children when they are sick. Supporting mothers in poverty and those neglected by their spouses to curb child abortion and termination of pregnancies is an important milestone in ensuring children’s right to life is realised .

14. The Right to Guidance and Care The capacity of parents to fulfill the responsibilities as primary care givers towards children may be diminished by the burden of poverty.

15. As a result many children look after themselves and become prey to a lot of immoral and social behaviour . Hence the children and parents need to be guided and counselled if they have issues affecting their well being

16. ECD learners in some communities is taken for granted and yet these are not frequently observed, checked nor properly supported. This is why effective ECD programmes should convey and address the needs of the child in a holistic manner.  

17. The Right to Protection against all forms of discrimination, abuse and exploitation.

18. The fulfillment of the rights of children and more especially the vulnerable ones, depend on the prevailing culture of human rights and consistent enforcement or relevant legal structure

19. Child Abuse is a major problem in Zimbabwe and it takes different forms including child labour, physical abuse, abandonment and battering, sexual abuse just to mention a few. Children need to be protected from abuse.

20. The Right to Participation, Choice and Privacy Children lack adequate information concerning, their lives and issues affecting their lives and more especially their rights. Culture robs children of the rights to choose and to privacy.  

21. The Right to Education Despite increased access and equity to ECD, some children are still forced to stay at home due to prevailing socio-economic circumstances such as poverty, lack of food, demands of household chores, child labour, looking after the sick etc.  

22. These impact on children’s realisation of children’s right to education as they may be unable to pay attention and fully participate in educational activities. Hence the need to treat all aspects of the ECD programme seriously to accord every child a right based education by creating enabling environments.

23. The ECD teacher’s role on children’s rights

24. To respect and observe children’s rights. To protect children against any forms of abuse and discrimination. To protect and safeguard children who are in difficult circumstances i.e. orphans, street children, children with disabilities abused and exploited children .

25. To show care and love foe children. To encourage pregnant mothers to visit antenatal care and eating good nutrition. To call children by name

26. Preserve children’s identity including nationality. Respect children’s freedom to association – allow children to play. Give children time to express their views freely in all matters affecting them. Recognise the right of the disabled child to special care.