Child Rights Promotion and Protection

Promoting and protecting children's rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child to ensure well-being, development, and protection.

Program Overview

Guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), CLADHO treats children as independent rights holders, not only recipients of services. Our work is organized around child participation, child protection, child rights advocacy, and research and evidence:

Child Participation

Children as rights holders who shape the decisions, plans and budgets that affect their lives.

Participation and Empowerment

• Encourage the active participation of children in decisions that affect their lives.
• Support programs that empower children to express their views and be involved in community development.
• Advocate for the integration of child participation in decision-making processes at various levels, including family, school, and community.
• Promote the inclusion of children in discussions on policies and programs that impact them, including planning and budget process, ensuring that their opinions are considered and respected.
• Promote children's involvement in media and communication activities, allowing them to share their experiences and perspectives.

Capacity Building

• Offer training programs for children to enhance their understanding of their rights, build leadership and communication skills, and empower them to articulate their needs effectively.
• Provide trainings to adults, including parents, teachers, and community leaders, to create an environment that supports and values child participation.
• Build the capacity of local communities and civil society organizations to address child rights issues effectively.

Child-led Initiatives

• Support and encourage child-led initiatives that address issues relevant to their communities.
• Provide resources and mentorship to enable children to take active roles in planning and implementing projects that contribute to their well-being.

Child Protection

Legal support, safe spaces and emergency response for children at risk of abuse, exploitation or neglect.

Health and Nutrition Programs

• Implement initiatives to improve children's access to healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation.
• Advocate for policies and programs that prioritize children's health and well-being.

Legal Assistance and Justice

• Provide legal aid and support to children who are victims of abuse, exploitation, or discrimination.
• Advocate for a child-friendly legal system that ensures due process and protection for children in conflict with the law.

Child-Friendly Spaces

• Establish safe and inclusive spaces where children can express themselves, play, and interact with each other.
• Use these spaces as platforms for children to share their thoughts and concerns, fostering a sense of community and empowerment.

Emergency Response and Humanitarian Assistance

• Advocate for the integration of child protection measures in humanitarian response efforts.
• Provide immediate assistance and protection to children affected by emergencies, including conflicts, natural disasters, and epidemics.

Child Rights Advocacy

Pressing for laws, policies and investment that uphold the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Advocacy for Legal Frameworks

• Advocate for the incorporation and effective implementation of international and national laws and policies that safeguard the rights of children.
• Work towards the ratification and enforcement of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Education and Awareness

• Develop and implement educational programs to raise awareness about the rights of children among parents, caregivers, educators, and communities.
• Conduct campaigns to eliminate harmful practices such as child labor, child trafficking, and child marriage.
• Work to prevent and eliminate any form of child abuse.

Research & Evidence

Data on children's situation and children's own feedback, used to inform policy and improve programs.

Research and Data Collection

• Conduct research to gather data on the situation of children, identify trends, and inform evidence-based policy and program development.

Feedback Mechanisms

• Establish feedback mechanisms in programs and services to gather input from children about their experiences and satisfaction.
• Ensure that this feedback is used to improve and adapt programs to better meet the needs and preferences of children.

Research and resources

Child-friendly laws and policies, advocacy resources and the My Rights magazine series.

My Rights Magazine Child Rights Resources

Want to collaborate on this program?

Reach out to the CLADHO team for partnerships, co-implementation, or support.