Child rights are special Human rights which are applicable only to children.
The United Nations Convention defines a ‘child’ as a person below the age of 18, unless the laws of a particular country set the legal age for adulthood younger.
Biologically, a ‘child’ is defined as a human being between the stages of birth and puberty. Legally, a child is referred to as a human being between birth and the age he/she attains majority.
However, In India, the Census and many of the government programmes consider any person below 14 years as a child.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a legally-binding international agreement setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities
These rights can broadly be classified into four major types:
a. RIGHT TO SURVIVAL: This is the most basic right, that is, the right to live. A child’s life, according to the Government of India, begins after 20 weeks of the conception which entitles him of the following rights.
• Right to be born
• Right to minimum standards of food, shelter and clothing
• Right to live with dignity
• Right to health care, to safe drinking water, nutritious food, a clean and safe environment, and information to help them stay healthy
b. RIGHT TO PROTECTION: In the UNCRC, Article 32 till Article 40 works towards ensuring the protection of children. These rights ensure the child is protected from all forms of abuse, exploitation and neglect. It includes special care for kids affected by war and armed conflicts, child labour and children under the criminal justice system.
c. RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT: Every child has the right to be exposed to mental, physical and emotional development. These three aspects can be defined as :
• Mental development includes the Right to Education and Learning.
• Physical Development includes the Right to Play and Relax, recreation and proper nutrition.
• Emotional Development includes the Right to proper care and love of a support system.
d. RIGHT TO PARTICIPATION: The following right ensures that every child has the freedom to express their opinion and have a say in decisions pertaining to their own life. It includes rights like :
• Right to freedom of opinion and expression.
• Right to information
• Right to participate in decisions involving them, directly or indirectly.