Justice for all - what does the UNCRC and the SDGs say?
Listening Did you know that the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Global Goals are about justice and equality? Here you can read about how they aim to make the world a fairer and more equal place for both children and adults.
What is justice and equality?
Fairness means that everyone should be treated equally and have the same opportunities, no matter where they live or who they are. Article 2 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child says that all children have the same rights. No one should be treated unfairly!
The SDGs, especially SDG 10, are also about reducing inequalities. This means that all people - children and adults alike - should have a say in society.
Your rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Here are some of the key articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child that deal with justice and empowerment:
- Article 2 - Equal rights: All children have the same rights. No one should be discriminated against because of who they are or what their parents do.
- Article 3 - Best interests of the child: When adults make decisions affecting children, they must always consider what is best for them.
- Article 13 - Freedom of expression: You have the right to speak your mind and share your thoughts through writing, speech, art or other means.
- Article 15 - Freedom of association: You have the right to join associations and take part in peaceful meetings.
The SDGs and children's rights
The SDGs also mention equality. You can find some examples here:
- Target 16.10: Everyone has the right to receive information and express their views.
- Target 10.2: All people, including children, are included in society - socially, economically and politically.
How can we create an equal society?
An equal society is good for everyone. Here are some examples of what we need to achieve this:
- Food and clean water for all.
- Schools where all children can go, whether they are boys or girls.
- Opportunity to influence decisions that affect us.
What can we do together?
To reduce inequality, we need:
- Share resources fairly. This could be money, education or healthcare.
- Tackling discrimination. No one should be treated less favorably because of their gender, background, religion or if they have a disability.
When we work for fairness and equality, we create a better world for everyone!
This text was originally published on January 1, 2020.
Published: 26 November 2024
