For Every Child, Every Right - Celebrating Children’s Day 2024 with Purpose and Promise

For Every Child, Every Right - Celebrating Children’s Day 2024 with Purpose and Promise

On November 14 as we celebrate Children’s Day, we honour our youngest by remembering that they are more than just the future. They are our hope with voices, needs and rights. This year's theme for Children's Day is "For Every Child, Every Right, which reminds us that children deserve to live in a safe and nurturing environment created with opportunities to learn, grow and thrive. It’s a day to revisit not only the dreams we hold for our children but also the commitment we make to safeguard their rights.

Recognizing Children's Day

Children's Day is a tribute to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who championed children as being the real strength of a nation and the foundation of society.

The theme, "For Every Child, Every Right," challenges communities to reflect on the principles enshrined within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This includes access to education, health care, safety, freedom from violence and discrimination. What do these rights mean in the everyday life of a child?

Why Every Right Matters: The Right To A Childhood

Children's rights encompass a wide array of needs but the main principle is to ensure that children have a chance to live with dignity, happiness and growth. The right to education, for instance, is not about knowing how to read and write but equipping the child with the power of thinking, questioning and imagining. Quality education is the tool for children to break off cycles of poverty and prejudice. Yet, many children around the world struggle to access this fundamental right due to socioeconomic barriers, gender discrimination and insufficient resources.

Safety is another critical aspect. Every child has the right to a life free from fear and harm, a right we must uphold vigilantly. The importance of a safe environment for children is magnified in today’s digital era where both real-world and online safety must be safeguarded. From fostering awareness about cyberbullying to educating children on safe digital practices, we have to ensure our children navigate both worlds securely.

A Right to Play, Dream and Be Heard

One right that has been often neglected is that of the child’s right to play, a concept that goes beyond games and recess. Playing is essential to creativity, social interplay and mental wellness, helping children learn important skills in teamwork, problem-solving and empathy. Yet, through pressure to perform academically or unreasonable responsibilities well beyond their years, many children today are denied even this most basic right.

The voices of children also must be heard. Otherwise, how else can they grow up to be independent thinkers and responsible citizens but through a right to express their opinions and voice. This includes their right to talk about the education they are receiving, their environment and even family decisions.

How We Can Support "For Every Child, Every Right"

A society that is child rights-friendly will require collective action on the part of communities. Schools and families must combine to provide supportive environments for children through initiatives focused on health, education and socio-emotional development. Some things that we can all do is:

1. Invest in Inclusive Education- Good education should reach every child, including the marginalised and abled children. Inclusivity in the classroom benefits each of the children as they are given the potential for more meaningful learning and also a growing empathy of their peers.

 2. Mental Health- Children's emotional and mental well-being is usually an afterthought. Resources towards mental health awareness are deficient in schools and would therefore be vital for children to learn.

3. Areas to play creatively- Schools and communities should give children open spaces to play physically, artistically and imaginatively as well. Play is not an indulgence, it's part of childhood.

4. Protect Them Online and Offline- The growth of the digital world creates new vulnerabilities for children's lives. Parents, educators and lawmakers should advocate for responsible internet use as they arm children with means to be secure online.

5. Hearing Them- Involving children in any decision-making, even about simple issues concerning family affairs teaches the child that their voice is heard. Even at school councils or forums of children, they should be given the opportunity to be able to say what's on their mind and take initiative and leadership.

Fulfilling The Dream Of Every Child

This year's theme comes as yet another powerful reminder of the fact that the recognition of children's rights stretches far beyond its mere words. It calls for active participation and action on issues raising hard questions: "Are we really listening to our children? Are they freed to grow in safety? And are we doing enough to protect those rights every day? Our commitment to "For Every Child, Every Right" must be a promise kept all year around and not limited to just Children's Day.

It is when children feel safe, loved and valued that they grow into empathetic and resilient adults who lead with kindness and wisdom. So here we celebrate the vision of Pandit Nehru about those children and mark this day by making concrete efforts toward attaining respect for and fulfilment of children's rights.

References:

1. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (1989). Convention on the Rights of the Child. United Nations. Retrieved from [https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention](https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention)

2. Chaudhury, M., & Joseph, S. (2023, November 14). Children’s Day 2023: Why it is celebrated in India and its significance. Hindustan Times. Retrieved from [https://www.hindustantimes.com/](https://www.hindustantimes.com/)

3. Positive Digital. (2024, November 8). Children’s Day 2024: Date, Theme, Wishes, Quotes & Poster Ideas. Retrieved from [https://positive.digital](https://positive.digital)

4. Bharati, M. (2022, November 13). Children’s rights in India: An overview. Indian Express. Retrieved from [https://indianexpress.com/](https://indianexpress.com/)

5. Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. (2023). Child Rights and Protection. Retrieved from [https://wcd.nic.in/](https://wcd.nic.in/)