Rights of the Child

Question 1

Problems with implementation

Answer 1

• Who has the capacity?
• Who has the authority?
• Who has the political will
• Lack of U.S. Participation
• Problem of formalism: reporting false data

Question 2

Convention on the rights of the child

Answer 2

• 1989: supports CEDAW
• 194 countries: including Holy See, Palestine, Niue, Cook Islands – NO U.S.
• POSITIVE:
• “Wedding Busters”: Bangladesh – creating child-free marriage zones
• Supported by NGOs – inspired other zones in Pakistan, India, parts of Africa

Question 3

Geneva Declaration on the rights of the child 1924

Answer 3

• Child must be given means for spiritual & material development
• Delineates some specific needs: clothing, food
• “child that is backward must be helped”
• First to receive relief
• Addresses exploitation
• Hence: at best – a statement of principles; focus on children as adults of the future

Question 4

Why does Child Marriage occur?

Answer 4

•	Tradition
o	Deep rooted, family honour, keeping control 
o	Young = chastity
•	Gender Roles
•	Poverty
o	Cheaper to consolidate household
o	Girls selling their bodies
•	Security
o	Best chance at a future

Question 5

Children in Conflict

Answer 5

• Recruited, abducted
• No alternative?
• Girls as “wives”
• Ease of indoctrination

Question 6

Child Labour

Answer 6

• International Labour Organization
o Regulates child labour while recognizing that some work is ok!
o Child labour can be linked to poverty
• Children often strongest members of household and thus work
•	The Worse Forms of Child Labour 1999
o	Absolute prohibition
o	Slavery
o	Trafficking practices
o	Armed conflict
o	Prostitution
o	Illicit activities
•	Case study: Cobalt in DRC, children as young as 7

Question 7

Human trafficking

Answer 7

• 32 billion/year, 80% women & children

* TIP protocol: Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children