Why the rights of children should be protected
child is any human being below the age of 18.It balances the concept of the child as a subjects of right whose evolving capacities must be respected with the concept of the states obligation to provide special protection, education, maintenance, birth registration, names, nationality and the right to know and be cared for by parents
Children’s rights are the human rights of a child with particular attention to the rights of special protection and care afforded to minors.
This includes their rights to association with both parents, human identity as well as the basic needs for food, universal state paid educations, health care and criminal laws appropriate for the age and development of the child, equal protection of the child’s civic rights, and freedom from discrimination on the basis of the child’s race, gender and national origin.
The broad definition of family in the convention on the rights of the child reflects the wide variety of kinship and community arrangements within which children are brought up around the world.
The family, as the fundamental group of the society and the natural environment for the growth and well being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the community and the child; for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.
Parents and guardians and other primary caregivers are linked to the requirement that they act in children’s best interest. Good relationship and among parents and members of the society offers children physical, mental, social, and emotional atmosphere to growth. Early marriage or motherhood at a very young age entails complications during pregnancy and delivery and a risk of maternal death that is much greater than average.
Fori writes from the department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.