- Although the guarantee of the rights of girls, boys and adolescents is embodied in universal treaties, there are still situations that violate the development and well-being of children.
- For girls, boys and adolescents to be able to exercise their rights, it is necessary that they know them.
A group of girls, boys and young people carried out the Webinar What can I do when my rights are violated? with representatives of Bolivia, Colombia and Mexico, through the platform Ollin.Tv, with the topic #NuestrosRightsSeRespetan
Through a video where testimonies and opinions of girls, boys and adolescents in Latin America were recapitulated, they recalled that among the rights of children are: the right to life, survival and development; having a name, surname and nationality; to live as a family and to live in loving environments, to solidarity equality, not to be discriminated against, to live in conditions of well-being and healthy integral development, to live a life free of violence, to inclusion, to freedom of expression and access to information, a just world, education, legal security, technology, among others.
During her speech, Yasmira from Colombia mentioned that it is worrying that despite the guarantees of children's rights embodied in international treaties, there are still situations that put them at risk and violate their rights, such as migration processes.
On the other hand, Lucy said it is unfortunate that there are laws and legal instruments that protect children, but that in practice they are not complied with, referring particularly to the crisis of violence that Colombia is going through, which has made it clear that young people are willing to fight for their rights. During his speech he made an attentive appeal to the State in his country and to the World Health Organization (WHO), “in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic we want our rights to health to be guaranteed, even when we live in rural areas. ", said.
Fernando reflected on the situation of millions of girls and boys who live in situations of absolute vulnerability, “what happens to the girls and boys who when they wake up do not know if that day they will eat, if someone will hurt them, if they will be disappeared or tortured, or if they that day there will be a bombing near his house. Girls, boys and adolescents also have the right to protection and security and to receive help when we need it ”, he said; in addition to reminding the people who followed this transmission that it is necessary to call the emergency services when there is a situation that puts children at risk.
Angela asked that the rights of children with disabilities not be neglected, since they are commonly excluded and exposed to constant violations of their rights, such as isolation and violence. During his speech he reminded adults that respect for children's rights begins at home, allowing the participation of the little ones, without limiting their capacities.
While Joselyn joined the conversation talking about the right to education, recalling that the right to early childhood education, which must be guaranteed by the State, and that all school-age children, even those who they live with a disability, they have the right to go to school.
One of the approaches addressed during the question and answer session, made by the audience, was How is culture promoted where the rights of girls, boys and adolescents are respected? The participants agreed that it is necessary to provide tools that provide information and knowledge to children, about what their rights are and how to communicate effectively when they consider that there is a violation of them. In addition to remembering that human and childhood rights are not only issues that are addressed from the legislative or governmental sphere, they must also be addressed in the family and social nucleus.
If you would like more information on this topic, please request an interview with Juan Martín Pérez, Regional Coordinator of the Initiative Weaving Childhood Networks for Latin America and the Caribbean.
The broadcast of this program is available here:
About:
Ollin.TV is an Internet television channel created as part of Weaving Childhood Nets in Latin America and the Caribbean an initiative co-financed by the European Union, which seeks to contribute to the strengthening and consolidation of a platform for the defense of children and adolescents in 20 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of Children's Rights Mexico AC / Weaving Childhood Networks and in no case should it consider that it reflects the views of the European Union.
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