The Convention on the

Rights of the Child Article 24 – Children have the right to enjoy the highest attainable
standard of health. Governments should work towards the
development of healthcare and diminish disease and child
mortality.

Our rights
Article 1 – A child means every human being below the age of
eighteen. Article 25 – Children have the right to have their situation reviewed
Article 2 – State parties must ensure all rights apply to children by their local authorities regularly.
regardless of their age race, religion, gender, wealth or birthplace. Article 26 – Governments should provide the right resources for
Article 3 – All signatories of the convention must work towards children if they need to benefit from social security.
actions in the best interests of the child. Article 27 – All children have the right to a quality standard of living
Article 4 – Governments must make these rights available to all that meets their mental and physical standards and should be
children. helped if they can’t reach this themselves.
Article 5 – Governments and parents must ensure children are Article 28 – All children have the right to an education.
equipped with the knowledge to understand their rights. Article 29 – Education should help the development of a child’s
Article 6 – All children have the right to a life of fullness. personality, talents and physical abilities so they can reach their
Article 7 – Governments should respect a child’s right to a name full potential.
and nationality. Article 30 – Children have the right to practice their own religion or
Article 8 – Governments must respect a child’s right to their own language.
identity. Article 31 – All children have the right to rest and leisure, and to
Article 9 – Children should not be removed from their parents engage in play and recreational activities. They can participate fully
unless for their own good. in cultural life and the arts.
Article 10 – Families living in different countries should be able to Article 32 – Governments must protect children from economic
move between them so families can keep in contact or get back exploitation or performing work that can interfere with their
together as a family. education or could be harmful to their development.
Article 11 – Governments must take all measures to combat the Article 33 – Governments must take all appropriate legislative,
illegal removal of children from their country. administrative, social and educational measures to protect children
Article 12 – Children have the right to their opinion and can say from the illicit use of drugs and prevent use of children in
what they think should happen. trafficking substances.
Article 13 – Children have the right to freedom of expression and Article 34 – Governments must protect children from sexual abuse.
can seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds. Article 35 – Governments must protect children from being
Article 14 – Governments should respect the right of children to abducted, sold or trafficked at all costs.
have freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Article 36 – Children must be protected from all forms of activities
Article 15 – Children have the right to freedom of association. that can harm their development.
Article 16 – Children have the right to their privacy. Article 37 – Children who break the law should not be treated
Article 17 – Governments should ensure children have access to cruelly and not imprisoned with adults. They should also be able to
information and material from a diversity of national and contact their families.
Article 38 – Governments should not allow any child under the age
international sources, especially those aimed at the promotion of
his or her social, spiritual and moral well-being and health. of sixteen to join the army. “Every child has a
Article 18 – Parents have a responsibility for bringing up their child Article 39 – Governments should take all appropriate measures to
and should always consider what is best.
Article 19 – Governments should ensure children are protected
promote physical and psychological recovery and social
reintegration of children exposed to neglect, exploitation or abuse.
right”
from violence and neglect. Article 40 – Children accused of breaking the law should receive
Article 20 – Children who cannot be cared for by their own parents legal help.
should be looked after by people who respect their religion, Article 41 – If the laws of a country protect a child better than the
culture and language. articles of the convention, then the laws should be followed.
Article 21 – When a child is adopted, their best interests should be Article 42 – The government should make the convention known to
the utmost priority. parents and children. Girls and boys are people created in
Article 22 – Children who enter a country as refugees should have Article 43-54 – These articles contain methods for institutions, God’s image; therefore they are
the same rights as children born in that country. organizations and individuals to ensure children get their rights.
Article 23 – Children with any kind of disability must have special
individuals of worth and dignity. Let’s
care and support.
 upholds the rights of children regardless
of their religion, race, ethnicity, or
gender. God’s plan is for all children to
experience fullness of life.

The denial of child rights

Child Rights: History, In the Philippines thousands of children are robbed of their
childhood and suffer lifelong developmental challenges as a result

Facts & How To Protect What is the UN Convention of violence.

Them on the Rights of the Child? against Children, 80% of Filipino children had experienced some
form of violence in their lifetime, whether in the home, school,
workplace, community or during dating.
“Around the world, child rights are a topic of concern in every country. 1 out of 5 children suffer from sexual abuse at home, in school
Every child, regardless of age, race, gender, wealth, or birthplace, and in the community.
deserves not just to live, but to thrive. Yet millions of children’s basic The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is a 2 out of 5 children experience bullying from peers.
rights are denied and their childhoods are stolen from them by abuse, comprehensive, internationally binding agreement on the 3 out of 5 children go through some form of psychological abuse.
exploitation, or slavery. rights of children, which was adopted by the United Nations 4 out 5 children grow up seeing some form of physical violence at
Many violations children face are a consequence of exploitative home.
General Assembly in 1989. It is the most widely ratified
practices and education gaps in both developed and developing 5 out of 10 children are victims of cyber violence.
communities. But poverty, exploitation, and violence are not human rights treaty in history.
6 out 10 children are physically and psychologically abused.
inevitable. With enlightened support from governments, civil society, 7 out of 10 children don’t have access to local protection services
and religious groups, vulnerable children can flourish and reach their It sets out the rights that must be realized for every child –
in their community.
highest potential.” the rights to survival, development, protection, and
participation. It offers a vision of the child as an individual
and as a member of a family and community, with rights Child rights around the world
and responsibilities appropriate to his or her age and stage
Who is a child? of development. Child rights are human rights that also recognize the special
needs for care and protection of minors — children and young
people under the age of 18. All children have these rights,
The Philippines as a State Party to the Convention has the regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender or cultural
Instead of using the word “juvenile”, Philippine obligation and accountability to undertake all appropriate background. No child should be treated unfairly on any basis.
laws made use of the word “child”. As defined in R.A. No. legislative, administrative, and other measures for the
9344, “Child” is a person under the age of eighteen (18) realization of children’s rights and that children have access All adults should do what is best for the children. When adults
to services, protection from all forms of abuse and violence, make decisions, they should think about how their decisions will
years. ... A child can commit an act or omission whether
opportunities for personal development to reach their affect children. The government has a responsibility to make sure
punishable under special laws or the amended Revised rights are protected.
Penal Code which is referred to as an “Offence”. fullest potential.

Who is Reponsible?
What is Child’s Right? Since the Philippines’ adoption in July 1990, there is much
to be celebrated. Recently, the UN Human Rights Office of Children’s rights laid down in the Convention on the Rights
the High Commissioner published the Philippine of the Child have to be provided by adults or the state.
Compliance Report on UN CRC (combined 5th and 6th
Child rights are human rights that also recognize the special periodic reports); Governments have the main responsibility to make sure the
needs for care and protection of minors — children and rights of children are protected and provided for. All citizens
young people under the age of 18. All children have these In spite the overall gains and continuing efforts of the have responsibilities to respect the rights of
rights, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender or Philippine Government, Filipino children and their family
cultural background. No child should be treated unfairly on children as well. It also identifies parents as the primary
still face challenges which compromise their human rights
any basis. caregiver of the child while governments are charged with
and benefits of development. assisting families in fulfilling their role.
All adults should do what is best for the children. When