Discuss the various child right

conventions and their implementation

 The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a legally-binding
international agreement setting out the civil, political, economic, social and
cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities.

The Convention establishes in international law that States Parties must ensure that all
children – without discrimination in any form – benefit from special protection measures
and assistance; have access to services such as education and health care; can develop their
personalities, abilities and talents to the fullest potential; grow up in an environment of
happiness, love and understanding; and are informed about and participate in, achieving
their rights in an accessible and active manner.(UNICEF)
 The CRC comes in a set of guiding principles consisting of four categories of rights which emphasis
on the vulnerabilities and special need of children and there are as follows:
1. Non-discrimination.
2. Best interests of the child.
3. The right to life, survival and development.
4. The right to participate.

 The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most rapidly ratified human rights treaty in history.
More countries have ratified the Convention than any other human rights treaty in history – 196
countries have become State Parties to the Convention as of October 2015.
 The Committee on the Rights of the Child, an elected body of independent experts that monitors the
Convention's implementation, requires governments that have ratified the Convention to submit
regular reports on the status of children's rights in their countries. The Committee reviews these reports
and makes recommendations to States. Where necessary, the Committee calls for international
assistance from other governments and technical assistance from organizations like UNICEF.
Kenya
 Legislation
Development of a National Children Policy (2008) which addresses matters concerning orphans
and vulnerable children.
Draft amendments to the Children Act 2001 to address the noted inconsistencies and weakness
therein and further ensure it is in congruent with Article 53 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
 Co-ordination and national plan of action

The National Council for Children’s Services (NCCS) was established under Section 30 (1) of the
Children Act2 to exercise general supervision and control over planning, financing and
coordination of child rights activities and to advise the State Party on all aspects relating to children
Kenya through the NCCS, in its effort to strengthen co-ordination, has developed various
regulations and guidelines. This includes the Child Participation Guidelines 2007, Charitable
Children’s Institutions (CCI) Regulations 2005, Adoption Regulations and Guidelines 2005, the
Operationalization of the AAC’s Guidelines 2006, Area Advisory Council Training and Resource
Manual 2007, and the Framework for National Child Protection System, 2011.
 Independent monitoring and independent human rights organizations
Kenya National Human Right and Equality Commission (KNHR&EC). KNHR&EC is
mandated to oversee the promotion and observance of human rights in the country and to
promote equality and freedom from discrimination in accordance with Article 27 of the
Constitution alongside other related mandates.
Other commissions relevant to children rights are the National Gender and Equality
Commission and the Commission on Administrative Justice. These commissions are mandated
to act as watchdogs over the State role to protect and promote human rights.
 Allocation of resources
Kenya has continued to increase budgetary allocation to the children services progressively.
With technical assistance from UNICEF, kenya has instituted “social budgeting”, with a
child’s rights perspective on a pilot basis. This began in three districts in 2005, and had been
extended to 10 districts by 2010.
Malaysia
 Primary school education was made compulsory in 2002 to ensure increased school enrolment
and completion.
 The Child Act 2001 (Act 611) has introduced several initiatives to safeguard children from
violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Incest has been criminalised by the Penal Code (Act
574), while the Domestic Violence Act 1994 (Act 521) protects the child against violence within
the family.
 The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act came into force on 28 February 2008 and provides, among
others, the legal mechanism to criminalise human trafficking and providing care, protection and
shelter for the victims. At the international level, Malaysia has signed the
United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) in 2002 and
ratified it in 2004. Malaysia is currently in the process of acceding to the
Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons especially Women and Children,
supplementing UNTOC.[12]
Botswana

 Government provided free health and basic education to all children as well as welfare
support for children in need. It also funded a 24-hour helpline manned by professional
social workers. There was a Children’s Consultation Forum, the members of which were
elected every two years. Furthermore, child participation in school governance was
facilitated through student representative fora. Law enforcement agencies and front line
officers had been capacitated to detect and prevent human trafficking. The country had
witnessed a tremendous increase in access to early childhood education.