Recognizing the basic fact that the rights of children needed to be specifically addressed, in 1959, the UN general assembly adopted the declaration on the rights of the child-a document which has been a guide to all human endeavors in the interest of children all over the world. It asserts that " mankind owes to the child the best it has to give". The imperative to boost the image of the child and her inalienable rights precipitated the recognition of 1979 as the international year of the child, when the UN commission on Human Rights started work on the drafting of the convention. On November 20, 1989, the UN unanimously adopted the convention on the rights of the child. A year later, it has to be recalled, it became an international law. For the first time in the history of the world, the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of children are mandated by international law.Inspite all these positive developements in the international arena, poverty, illiteracy, harmful child labor, child prostitution, child rape, torture, environmental degradation and female genital mutilation among other have stood tall in the face of vulnerable children like a collossus.We all can take a stand for the children of the world, we all can persuade governments to rise up to their responsibilities, we all can make a difference around the world. Let us all roll up our sleeves and begin the journey.
EWEAMA PEDUS C
Pedusc@yahoo.com
« return.