History has a record of the exploitation and plight of children during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. But after World War II the plight of European children was grave. United Nations stepped in to provide food, clothing, shelter and healthcare. Soon UNICEF became a permanent part of the United Nations. Today it works in 190 countries and territories, focusing on reaching the most vulnerable, excluded and neglected children everywhere. It started taking shape in a very systematic manner in 1959 20th November, when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child: on the same date 1989 Convention of the Rights of the Child was adopted.
World Children’s Day offers each of us an inspirational entry point to advocate and promote children's rights then translate it into dialogue and actions that will build a better world for children. Generally, children and teenagers with a disability, autism and other physical challenges, children in refugee camps, war zones or areas hit by natural disasters and children who had suffered domestic violence sexual abuse and trafficking were the worst sufferers were was sufferers. This means being sensitive enough to understand empathise and speak for these children's rights and needs, which also means help and support from various organisations government bodies and non-profits to provide shelter, medical care, mental health care, food and clothing, financial assistance and above all education. Without advocacy, children would have been totally ignored. Therefore, children’s rights were laid out and formulated in the international, national and regional frameworks to establish the fundamental rights of each child.
Children have Economic Rights, Social Rights, Cultural Rights, Right to Education and Healthcare and Right to a Decent Standard of Living.
Advocacy provides public support to execute the ideas and plans that work in favour of the children for e.g. Educational advocacy is a partnership between an educational advocate and a family to ensure that their children receive appropriate support for their education. Advocates are highly knowledgeable and have expertise in educational laws and procedures. They know exactly when their intervention is required for the protection of the rights of the child.
In India, child rights have been well documented and because of this strict laws have been made against child sexual abuse, corporal punishment, domestic violence, child marriage child labour and so on. However, a lot has to be done. Because of this Government of India has made education of children free till the age of 14 in most Government schools in India and non-profit organisations uniforms shoes and Mid-Day meal is provided free. Because of this school children are becoming more capable, and they're growing up to become educated citizens of society because of these rights children are being provided with computers, laptops, and means of conveyance and communication for progressing in their lives.
Advocacy for child rights must be louder and stronger at every level so that no child is left uncared. One of the finest initiatives taken by the RTE Government of India is 2 fixed 25% seats in private schools for students coming from marginalised groups and economically backward classes. None of it would have been possible without advocacy and the battle for child rights.
International Day of Innocent Children Victim of Aggression
World Day Against Child Labour.
International Youth Day.
International Day for Girl Child.
Many other such days are celebrated to educate people and raise awareness on issues of concern.