The central theme of this year's November 20 "World Children's Rights Day," declared by the United Nations (UN), is "Every child, every right." However, children are being deprived of even the most basic right, the right to life. Dr. Associate Professor Cihan Avcı Braun, stating that 5 million children lose their lives before the age of 5 every year, said, "Thousands of children have died in Gaza, and the fundamental right of children, the 'right to life,' is being disregarded."
Due to the acceptance of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989, every year, November 20 is celebrated as "World Children's Rights Day." However, the World Children's Rights Day of 2023, amid the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, where children lose their lives, and in an environment where the agreement, endorsed by 196 countries, is ignored, unfortunately, cannot turn into a celebration or festival.
Dr. Associate Professor Cihan Avcı Braun, making evaluations about the day, reminded that the central theme of this year's World Children's Rights Day is "Every child, every right."
While pointing out the differences between countries and regions despite the improvement in living conditions for children worldwide compared to previous years, Braun said, "Compared to the year 1990 when the Convention on the Rights of the Child came into effect, an average of ten thousand fewer children die each year today. However, according to UNICEF's calculations, still 5 million children die before reaching the age of five every year. Most of these deaths could be prevented with the clean water, better hygiene conditions, and a functioning healthcare system."
Despite living in the 21st century, Dr. Associate Professor Braun noted that wars are causing the most harm to children's rights, saying:
"Even if they do not die due to war but survive, if they are lucky enough not to be trapped amidst ruins and missiles but become refugees in another country, 'they' will continue their lives not as children but as individuals who have matured at a very early age by facing the harsh realities of life. Besides the struggle to learn the language and culture of the country they sought refuge in, they are individuals who, due to having no other choice, follow lessons taught in an unknown language, even work at home or outside to contribute to the household economy, unable to experience childhood and access the rights protected by the 'Convention on the Rights of the Child.' We witness the injuries and deaths of children who are completely innocent in the ongoing Israel-Palestine war, and no one can ensure the rescue of children in the besieged region. The most superior right that a child should be protected is the right to life, and it is being disregarded. Due to events entirely controlled and preventable by humans, such as war, homes, loved ones, hopes, childhoods, and futures are taken away from children. As Gandhi said, 'If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.'"
Providing information about the rate of children attending school, Cihan Avcı Braun said, "Although the worldwide rate of attending school has increased, still 250 million children do not attend school today. According to research jointly conducted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, the number of child laborers has reached 160 million, and this number has increased by 8.4 million in the last four years."
According to UNICEF's "2022 Turkey Child Survey," based on information obtained from 14,705 children and published in April 2023, among children aged 3-17, the rate of children who take a bath at least twice a week is 89%, and only 35% of children brush their teeth once a day. Dr. Associate Professor Braun emphasized that these figures reflect the impact of parents' habits on children, stating that children should acquire these habits at an early age. Pointing to sports as an example of habits to be acquired at an early age, Braun emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for children to develop sports habits. Braun said, "According to the same UNICEF report, the rate of children participating in sports activities among children aged 4-17 is 35%. Almost half of this rate comprises 'walking and running' activities. The total rate of activities such as football, basketball, volleyball, and cycling is limited to 15%."
Highlighting that the limited maternity leave for mothers is also a significant loss of children's rights, Dr. Associate Professor Braun pointed out that due to this limitation, mothers are forced to leave their 3-month-old babies and go to work. Braun said, "This situation adversely affects both the mother's psychological health and the physical and psychological development of the baby."