Title: Session Two An Introduction to the Convention on the Rights of the Child
1Childrens Rights and Childrens Health
Anne E. Dyson Annual Meeting, 2005 An
Introduction to the United Nations Convention on
the Rights of the Child Jeff Goldhagen, M.D., MPH
2Aims of the Workshop
- To raise awareness of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child - To increase understanding of the Conventions
application to health and health care policy and
practice - To promote insight into how policy and practice
can be improved to effect greater respect for the
rights defined in the Convention - To raise awareness of the relationship between
public policy and the health rights of children,
and encourage a commitment to the development of
an advocacy role by professionals in respect of
childrens rights - To introduce methods for teaching childrens
rights
3Millennial Morbidities
- Poverty Violence
- Marginalization Lack
of Education - Food Availability
Emerging Diseases - Disabilities
Displacement - Abuse and Exploitation
Environmental Ecosystems - Access to Medical Care Public
Policies - Genomics Mental Health Parity
- Globalization
4 Responding to the Millennial Morbidities
5Discrimination ---- Response
- Discrimination
- Race
- Gender
- Sexual Orientation
- Animal
- Victims
- Voting
- Patients
- Children
- Response
- Civil Rights
- Womens Rights
- Gay Rights
- Animal Rights
- Victims Rights
- Voting Rights
- Patients Rights
- Childrens ______
6Rationale for a Rights-Based Approach to
Childrens Health
- Childrens health and development is best
promoted by the fulfillment of all their human
rights. - The Convention provides a comprehensive framework
of rights which will facilitate a holistic
approach to promoting the well being of children.
Respect for all the rights embodied in the
Convention will help achieve this goal. - All children have rights by virtue of being
human. In addition, all children have needs.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child
establishes international recognition that
children have a right to have these needs met.
7What is the UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child
8The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
-
- The universal rights of children have been
codified into an international human rights
treaty, the UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child (1989). - The Convention introduces binding obligations on
all governments to protect and promote the rights
of children that are necessary to fulfill their
needs.
9The Convention
- The Convention on the Rights of the Child defines
the full range of childrens needs and provides a
practical framework for addressing these needs in
an integrated and holistic way. - It poses a challenge to traditional approaches to
children that views them as incompetent, passive
objects of adult protective care. Instead, it
acknowledges them as both capable of and entitled
to active participation in decisions that affect
their lives.
10The Convention
- It provides a universal set of standards against
which to measure and improve the treatment of
children. - It provides an opportunity for all those involved
in childrens health and well being to work
together toward improving childrens living
standards by advancing childrens rights. - Implementation of the rights contained in the
Convention would herald a fundamental change in
the status of children in all societies in the
world and ensure their health and development and
optimal fulfillment of potential.
11The Six United Nations Human Rights Treaties
- International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights (1966) - International Covenant on Social, Economic and
Cultural Rights (1966) - International Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Racial - Discrimination (1966)
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women (1979) - Convention against Torture, and Other Cruel,
Inhuman and Degrading Treatment (1984) - Convention on The Rights of the Child (1989)
12What Does the Convention Do
13What the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Does
? It Promotes a philosophy of respect for
children? It Recognizes children as subjects
of legal rights? It Challenges traditional
views of children as passive recipients of
care and protection? It Insists that children
are entitled to have their needs met and
thereby imposes obligations on adults
14The Convention Establishes an Emerging View of
Children
- The Convention encourages a culture of respect
for - children within communities and families.
- Children are listened to and their views are
taken seriously. - There is increasing recognition given to
childrens abilities to make decisions for
themselves as they grow older. - Parents and society must consider childrens best
interests when making decisions that affect them. - Recognition is given to the fact that childrens
interests will not always coincide with those of
their parents. -
15What Rights does the Convention Contain?
- Social Rights
- Economic Rights
- Cultural Rights
- Protective Rights
- Civil and Political Rights
- These rights are indivisible and universal.
- There is no hierarchy of rights.
16What it Contains
- Social rights. The right to life and optimal
survival and development, to the best possible
health and access to health care, to education,
to play, to family life unless not in the childs
best interests - Economic rights. The right to an adequate
standard of living for proper development, to
benefit from social security, the right to
protection from economic exploitation - Cultural rights. The right to respect for
language, culture and religion, to abolition of
any traditional practices likely to be
prejudicial to the childs health -
-
17What it Contains
- Protective rights. The right to promotion of the
childs best interests, to protection from sexual
exploitation, from armed conflict, from harmful
drugs, from abuse and neglect, to rehabilitative
care following neglect, exploitation or abuse -
- Civil and political rights. The right to be
heard and taken seriously, to freedom from
discrimination in the exercise of rights on any
grounds, to freedom of expression, to privacy, to
information, to respect for physical and personal
integrity and freedom from all forms of violence,
or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
18Implications of Childrens Rights to Health
Professionals
- Reorients the individual relationship between the
health professional and the child - Establishes new policies and approaches to the
delivery of health care services - Defines the role of health professionals as
advocates for children by advocating for and
advancing childrens rights
19Underlying Principles
20Underlying Principles in the Convention on the
Rights of the Child
- Article 2. All the rights in the Convention
apply to all children without discrimination on
any grounds. -
- Article 3. In all actions affecting children
their best interests must be a primary
consideration. -
- Article 6. All children have the right to life
and optimal survival and development. -
- Article 12. All children capable of expressing a
view have the right to express that view freely
and to have it taken seriously in accordance with
their age and maturity.
21Other Specific Rights
-
- The Convention contains many other rights that,
if respected, will result in better health and
development for children -
- The right to protection from all forms of
violence and sexual abuse - The right not to be separated from parents
- The right to education and play
- The right to protection from arbitrary detention
- The right to knowledge of identity
- The right not to suffer cruel or inhuman
treatment or punishment
22Underlying Principles
- Is the Convention anti-family or anti-parent?
- The Convention emphasizes that growing up within
a caring family environment is crucial to
childrens healthy development. - The Convention recognizes parental rights and
responsibilities to provide direction and
guidance to their children. - Parental rights and responsibilities exist in
order to protect and promote childrens rights. - The Convention promotes a culture of respect for
children in families by listening to them and
taking them seriously. - The Convention does not diminish or undermine the
role of parents, but it does imply a more open
democratic approach to child rearing.
23Concern for Parental Rights
- Article 5 recognizes parents rights and duties
to provide direction and guidance to children. - Article 9 stresses the right of children not to
be separated from their parents unless necessary
for their best interests. - Article 18 stresses the obligations of
governments to provide support and help to
parents in order to help them fulfill their role
of promoting and protecting their childrens
rights.
24Teaching Childrens Rights
25The Curriculum
- Module 1 Childrens Needs and Rights
- Module 2 Highlights of the UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child - Module 3 Respecting Childrens Rights in
Pediatric Practice - Module 4 Health Policy and Health Services
- Module 5 The Health Professional as Advocate
26Module 1. Childrens Needs and Rights
27 Relationships Between Childrens Needs and Rights
- All children have needs, the fulfillment of which
will facilitate their health and development. -
- Needs extend beyond the physical to encompass
social, economic, cultural, intellectual,
emotional and psychological needs. -
- Children cannot fulfill these needs without adult
support.
28Relationships Between Childrens Needs and Rights
- These needs can only be fulfilled if adults
accept responsibility for meeting them. -
- Acceptance of responsibility for the needs of
children by adults gives children an entitlement
or right to have their needs met. -
- Recognition that children have rights in respect
of all their needs demands an approach in which
children become active participants in the
decisions and actions which affect them, not
merely recipients of adult intervention and
protection. -
29Activities
30Activity 1.1Defining Childrens Needs
This exercise is designed to develop an
understanding of the needs of children to ensure
their optimal health and well being.
31Activity 1.1
- Please identify what a child needs in order to
fulfill his or her full potential in one of the
following three broad and overlapping categories -
- Physical needs
- Social and cultural needs
- Intellectual, psychological and emotional needs
- Approach this task in general terms. It is not
necessary to define the exact - detail of the needs that you are describing.
32Activity 1.1
- Give consideration to
- What age do you consider to be included within
childhood? - Do children have different needs at different
ages? - Are there needs of children that relate both to
their present age and to their future role as
adults? - Are these needs universal?
33 Examples of Physical Needs
- Shelter
- Health care
- Adequate clean water and sanitation
- Protection from environmental pollution
- Adequate food
- Adequate clothing
- Protection from violence, exploitation and abuse
34Examples of Social and Cultural Needs
- Knowledge of and respect for own language
religion and culture - Stable social and economic environment
- Recognition of and respect for emerging
competencies - Access to appropriate guidance and support
- Access to play and friendships
- Respect for privacy
- Freedom from discrimination and prejudice
35Examples of Intellectual, Psychological and
Emotional Needs
- A stable and loving family environment
- Access to education
- Age appropriate information and stimulation
- Opportunities to be listened to and taken
seriously
36Activity 1.2 Characteristics of Childrens Needs
This exercise is designed to develop an
understanding of the characteristics of
childrens needs.
37Activity 1.2Characteristics of Childrens Needs
- Respond to these questions, as you consider the
needs of children in - your practice, your community, nation and the
world. -
- 1. Which needs apply to all aspects of a childs
development? - 2. What inter-relationships and
inter-dependencies exist between needs and - rights?
- 3. How do childrens needs (rights) change at
different stages of their - development?
- Do these needs extend to all children in all
societies, irrespective of their countrys wealth
or stage of development? - 5. Who is responsible for meeting childrens
needs? -
38Key Points
39Key Points
- The Convention on Rights of the Child defines the
full range of childrens needs and rights, and
provides a practical framework for addressing
these needs in an integrated and holistic way. - All children have rights that emanate from their
humanity. In addition, all children have basic
universal needs. - These needs form a basic set of common standards
necessary for optimal health and development. - Children are entitled to be treated according to
these common standards. - These standards impose obligations on adults to
ensure their fulfillment. - A commitment to fulfilling these obligations
creates rights for children to have their needs
met.
40Key Points
- 2. The Convention poses a challenge to
traditional - approaches that view children as incompetent,
passive objects of adult protective care.
Instead, it acknowledges children as both capable
and entitled to active participation in decisions
that affect their lives.
41Key Points
- 3. It is legally binding on all countries that
have ratified it. Governments are required under
international law to take all necessary measures
to implement its provisions. It provides a
universal set of standards against which to
measure and improve the treatment of children. - 4. There are no formal sanctions that can be
brought against governments for failing to comply
with its provisions or the process of reporting
to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. It
is nevertheless an invaluable mechanism for
monitoring how a government is complying.
42Key Points
- 5. It provides an opportunity for all those
involved in childrens health and well being to
work together toward improving standards. - 6. Full implementation of the rights contained in
the Convention would herald a fundamental change
in the status of children in all societies in the
world and ensure their optimal health and
development and fulfillment of potential.
43Module 2Highlights of the UN Convention on
the Rights of the Child
44Activity 2.1
Exploring the Concept of Rights for Children
45Activity 2.1
- This exercise is designed to encourage you to
explore the concept of rights for children, what
those rights are and to reflect on how different
rights are treated in respect of children.
46Activity 2.1. Consider as many questions as
time allows
- 1. What rights do you think are violated or
neglected for children in your country? -
- 2. Are there particular groups of children who
are more discriminated against in the exercise of
their rights? - 3. Are there any groups of rights that are
complied with less than others? Why do you think
that might be? - 4. How does the concept of the best interests of
the child inform the work of health
professionals? -
471. Are there shared perceptions about the extent
to whichrights are complied with or violated?
Discussion Questions
- Is there agreement in your community as to
whether the right to protection from all forms
of violence is respected? - Is there agreement in your community as to
whether children are listened to and taken
seriously? -
- Is there consensus about how far certain groups
of children are discriminated against in the
exercise of their rights, such as girls, disabled
children or minority groups? -
482. If rights are not being respected, where does
the problem lie?
Discussion Questions
- Is it governments who are breaching those rights?
- Is it parents?
- Is it professionals working with
childrendoctors, teachers etc? - Is the disrespect active or passive?
-
- Are childrens rights being breached by
defaultthrough - lack of awareness or resources, or through
active repudiation of those rights?
493. Is there explicit legislation requiring
professionals to consider the best interests of
children?
Discussion Questions
- If so, how does this impose these requirements?
- If not, is it a concept that is implicitly
applied in respect of service delivery? How do we
know it is being applied consistently? - Can you think of examples where the principles of
best interests of the child ought to apply but
does not?
50Activity 2.2
Barriers to the Best Possible Child Health
51Barriers to the Best Possible Child Health
This exercise is designed to highlight how
accomplishing the best possible health requires
meeting a breadth of childrens rights.
52Activity 2.2Barriers to the Best Possible Child
Health
- Consider the following 2 issues
- 1. Identify and list barriers to the
implementation of the right to the best possible
health for any group of children. - 2. Next, identify ways of overcoming each of the
barriers listed.
53Examples of Barriers
54Barriers to Childrens Right to the Best
Possible Health
- Parents and childrens lack of information about
how to protect childrens health - Child poverty
- Discrimination against certain groups of children
- Politicians failure to prioritize childrens
health - Resistance towards changing attitudes and
practices toward childrens health and child
rearing - Invisibility of children
- Lack of democratic traditions
55Ways of Overcoming Barriers to Childrens Rights
to the Best Possible Health
- Introduce protective legislation
- Monitor implementation of the Convention
- Give priority to making environments child
friendly - Scrutinize national budgets
- Run public information campaigns
- Develop informed and effective public policy
56 Childrens Rights to the Best Possible Health
- Article 2. All the rights in the Convention
apply to all children without discrimination on
any grounds. -
- Article 3. In all actions affecting children
their best interests must be a primary
consideration. -
- Article 12. All children capable of expressing a
view have the right to express that view freely
and to have it taken seriously in accordance with
their age and maturity.
57Childrens Rights to the Best Possible Health
- Key articles related to health
- Article 6. The right to life and optimum
development - Article 24. The right to the best possible health
and access to health services
58Childrens Rights to the Best Possible Health
-
- Article 5. The right of children to respect for
their evolving capacities - Health professionals are obligated to explore
with the child their level of understanding of
any proposed treatment, their views on it and
their - competence to make a decision on whether or not
to consent to the - treatment.
- Health professionals must work collaboratively
with both children and their parents to involve
them as fully as possible in the treatment being
offered and in any decisions that need to be
taken. - Due regard must be given to the childs
competence to give or refuse consent to a
treatment when the parent takes an opposing view.
59 Childrens Rights to the Best Possible Health
- Article 12. The right of children to be listened
to and taken seriously. - All children capable of expressing a view are
entitled to do so. - Children are entitled to do so on all matters
affecting them, it is not restricted to any
aspect of a childs life. - Childrens views must be given due regard, there
is little point in listening to children if there
is no commitment to give consideration to what
they say. - The weight given to their views must be in
accordance with their age and maturity.
60Childrens Rights to the Best Possible Health
- Article 16. The right of children to privacy and
respect for confidentiality. - Respecting confidentiality will encourage
adolescents to seek medical help. - There is a need to develop and promote explicit
policies on who is entitled to confidential
advice and information. - There is a need for clarification on laws
relating to confidential treatment of minors and
to develop policy accordingly.
61 Implementing Childrens Rights in Practice
- Formally adopt the Convention as a framework
for developing policies and practices - Develop systems for consulting with children in
the development, delivery, monitoring and
evaluation of services - Work with staff, parents and children in
developing a Childrens Charter establishing what
children are entitled to expect with they seek
health care. - Develop systems for analyzing the degree to which
health services and expenditures benefit
children and whether they reflect their assessed
levels of need
62 Implementing Childrens Rights in Practice
- Establish effective collaborative planning to
ensure consistency and comprehensiveness in the
development of services for children - Provide training to staff and parents
- Encourage the appointment of a childrens
ombudsman who can monitor how effectively
childrens rights to health are being protected.
63A Childrens Rights Charter
- If I am seeking, needing or receiving services, I
have the right to the following - To the best possible treatment and care
- To be listened to and have my views taken
seriously - To be given information that will help me
understand my treatment - To ask for advice, information and support
- To be asked before anyone touches me
- To respect for my privacy
- To treatment and care, regardless of my sex,
abilities or disabilities, color, race, religion
or sexual orientation - To not be hurt or humiliated
64Key Points
65Key Points
- The Convention on the Rights of the Child defines
the full range of childrens needs and provides a
practical framework for addressing these needs in
an integrated and holistic way.
66Key Points
- It poses a challenge to traditional approaches to
children that view them as incompetent, passive
objects of adult protective care. Instead, it
acknowledges children as both capable and
entitled to active participation in decisions
that affect their lives.
67Key Points
- It is legally binding on all countries that have
ratified it. Governments are required under
international law to take all necessary measures
to implement its provisions. It provides a
universal set of standards against which to
measure and improve the treatment of children
68Key Points
- There are no formal sanctions that can be brought
against governments for failing to comply with
its provisions, the process of reporting to the
Committee on the Rights of the Child - It is nevertheless an invaluable mechanism for
monitoring how a government is complying. - It provides an opportunity for all those involved
in childrens health and well being to work
together toward improving standards. -
69Key Points
- Implementation of the rights contained in the
Convention would herald a fundamental change in
the status of children in all societies in the
world and ensure their optimal health and
development and fulfillment of potential. -
70Module 3
- Respecting Childrens Rights in Pediatric Practice
71Activity 3.1
- Scenarios Extending Childrens Rights in
Clinical Practice
72Activity 3.1 Scenarios Extending Childrens
Rights in Clinical Practice
-
- Think of a recent case where one of the following
has been a - question
- Whether or not to involve a child in a medical
decision - Overriding the wishes of a competent child
- Breaching the confidentiality of a child
73Activity 3.1Describe A Case
- 1. Outline the circumstances of the case
- 2. Highlight the nature of the decision to be
made - 3. Describe who was involved and why
- 4. State the outcome and how it was reached
74Discussion Questions
- Were the childs rights fully respected in this
case? - If not, why not?
- What could have been done differently?
75Examples of Case Scenarios Childrens Rights
in Clinical Practice
- A 13 year old wanting contraception but unwilling
for her parents to be informed - A 10 year old diagnosed with likely-to-be-terminal
cancer, who is refusing surgery that could offer
temporary alleviation of pain - A child who has HIV, transmitted from the mother.
Should the child be told? If yes, what are the
implications for the mothers privacy - A school vaccination programme. Should individual
children be consulted and asked for permission? -
- A six year old who refuses a necessary injection
76Activity 3.2
When a Childs Rights Might Conflict with
Parents Rights
77Activity 3.2
- Identify cases that you have encountered in
which conflicts existed between the rights of
children and those of their parents - Address these questions and consider their
relevance to the cases you chose to discuss
and/or others you have encountered. - Which rights were at stake for the child? For the
parent? - Which rights would you prioritize? Why?
- How might you resolve the potential conflict?
78When a Childs Rights Might Conflict with the
Parents Rights
- Case examples
- A teenage girl, who has been brought by her
mother to see you, turns out to be pregnant - A ten year old boy needs treatment for a chronic
condition, but his parents refuse to give their
consent - A disabled child refuses a painful corrective
treatment, that the parents want undertaken - A child reveals that she is being abused by a
family member - A mother with HIV/AIDS wants to breast feed her
baby
79Discussion Questions
-
- 1. Which rights were at stake for the child? For
the parent? - 2. Which rights would you prioritize? Why?
- 3. How might you resolve the potential conflict?
80Key Points
81Key Points
- Children are entitled to be actively involved in
their own health - care from the earliest possible ages.
-
- 2. Involvement means providers and parents
- listen to children and take their views
seriously, - respect their evolving competence to take
responsibility for themselves, and - and recognise the importance of confidentiality,
particularly for adolescents. -
82Key Points
- Participation of children is important in
principle. All people are entitled to be
consulted over decisions that affect them. The
practical benefits enhance both the quality of
care and the childs general well-being. - Implementing a commitment to involving children
necessitates considerable changes in practice - Train all medical and paramedical staff who deal
with children - Make time to listen and talk with children
- Provide child-friendly information, and
- Develop codes of practice and polices to promote
good practice.
83Key Points
- Implementing a culture of respect for children
should be undertaken through a process of
consulting with children themselves on which
issues matter to them, on what they would like to
see change, and how.
84Module 4
- Health Policy and Health Services
85Activity 4.1
- Strategies to Ensure the Right to the Best
Possible Health
86Activity 4.1
- This exercise is designed
- To help you reflect on the extent to which the
right to the best possible health is being
protected for children in your practice and
community - To explore what strategies might be developed to
address those areas that require change in order
to raise standards
87Activity 4.1
- Consider the following questions
- Is the right to the best possible health being
protected for all children? - If not, which children are losing out and how?
-
-
88Activity 4.1
- Can you identify examples of specific breaches of
childrens rights in existing health policy and
practice? - Can you think of ways to discover from children
what they think about services, what services
they would like developed, how they would like
services changed?
89- Examples
- failures to introduce or follow child protection
procedures - physical abuse of children by staff
- detention of children in mental health
institutions without proper safeguards - research undertaken without proper consideration
of childrens best interests?
90Activity 4.2
- How Child-Friendly are Health Centers, Clinics
and Hospitals?
91Activity 4.2
- This exercise is designed
- To help you see the world that children
experience - To help you consider ways to ensure the
experience of children in health facilities
respect their rights
92Activity 4.2How Child-Friendly are Health
Centers, Clinics and Hospitals?
-
- Imagine you are either a seven-year old ethnic
minority boy or a 14-year old girl who is
confined to a wheel chair. You are visiting a
hospital or health centre for treatment. -
- How might you, as either of these children,
experience the services you receive, and what
might be done to make the environment and the
services more child-friendly?
93Key Points
94Key Points
- Children have the right to life and the best
possible health, and access to the best possible
health care services. - It is not enough simply to assume that services
are promoting childrens health and development,
providing them with the best possible health
services and ensuring the best possible health
outcomes. It is necessary to scrutinise services
to ensure they actually protect and promote
childrens rights.
95Key Points
- 3. Key principles in the Convention can be used
as a means of monitoring whether standards are
being met for all children. For example, can all
children access services equally, are services
designed for children or for the interests and
convenience of adults, are childrens views
sought as a means of improving services, are
children protected from all forms of violence and
abuse? -
96Key Points
- 4. Giving consistent priority to promoting the
best interests of children can be helped by
introducing and institutionalizing systems for
raising standards throughout the service delivery
system, including training, consultation,
analysis of budgets, integrated planning of
services, etc. -
97Key Points
- Important questions to ask when developing and
- implementing childrens services include,
but are not limited to the following. - Can all children access services equally?
- Are services designed for children, or for
adults interest and convenience? - Are childrens views sought as a means of
improving services? - Are children protected from all forms of violence
and abuse?
98Implementation of the Best Possible Health -
Summary
- Formally adopt the Convention as a framework for
developing policies related to your practice - Develop systems for consulting with children
- Develop a Childrens Charter in consultation with
children and families - Develop systems for analyzing health service
expenditures - Establish effective interdepartmental planning to
ensure consistency and comprehensiveness in the
development of services for children - Train staff on the implications of the Convention
- Appoint an ombudsman
99Module 5
- The Health Professional as Advocate
100Activity 5.1
- Advocating for Changes in Public Policy
- and Practice
101Activity 5.1Advocating for Changes in Public
Policy and Practice
- This exercise is designed
- To explore the potential role of health
professionals as advocates for childrens right
to the best possible health. - To identify an aspect of public policy that has a
detrimental impact on childrens optimal health,
and develop a strategy for advocating the
necessary changes to legislation, policy,
practice or resources in order to better protect
children.
102Advocating for Changes in Public Policy and
Practice
- Choose an aspect of legislation or public policy
that you feel is having a particularly harmful
impact on childrens right to the best possible
health. It may be one of those listed on the
Table in your handout, or it may be something of
particular interest to you and those in your
community. -
- Now consider the following questions
-
103Advocating for Changes in Public Policy and
Practice
- What rights for children are being breached and
what are the implications of those breaches? -
- What changes would be necessary in order to
protect childrens rights to health more
effectively? -
- To what extent are the changes needed related to
health policy and practice and to what extent do
they need wider reform?
104Advocating for Changes in Public Policy and
Practice
- Do you consider that pediatricians and other
health professionals have a role to play in
seeking change on this issue? What unique
contribution can you make as a result of your
direct experience? -
- How might you develop a strategy to highlight
your concerns and seek to achieve the changes
necessary to protect childrens health? -
- How might you involve children themselves in such
a strategy?
105Advocating for Changes in Public Policy and
Practice
- The following questions may help frame this
discussion. -
- Why do children need advocates?
- How can you prioritize childrens issues?
- How can you develop a strategy for advocacy?
- How can you involve children and elicit their
- views?
106Key Points
107Key Points
- Childrens rights to the best possible health
cannot be fulfilled simply through the provision
of effective health care services. The social,
economic and physical environments in which they
live can and do have powerful influences on their
well-being. - Children lack the democratic rights available to
adults with which to fight to protect their
rights. Accordingly, they need adults willing to
act as advocates on their behalf.
108Key Points
- Pediatricians and other health professionals have
a unique experience with respect to how
childrens lives and their right to the best
possible health are affected by their
environment, and how the actions and inactions of
governments contribute to the failure to protect
their right to health. - By advocating as a body, health professionals can
tackle the barriers to childrens rights to the
best possible health, rather than simply treating
the consequences.
109Key Points
- Children themselves have a contribution to make
to their own protection alongside adult
advocates. - A greater recognition of childrens rights in
individual professional practice, and the
delivery of supportive health services and public
policy are needed if the optimal development and
well-being of all children are to be protected
and promoted.