The Committee on the Rights of the Child will hold the Day of General Discussion (DGD) on the 16 and 17 of September on the theme of children’s rights and alternative care. We are delighted to announce that two young speakers supported by network members will play an active role on the day by contributing their voices and experiences.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child monitors States’ progress in implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child. They decided to dedicate their 2021 day of general discussion to children and alternative care. The session allows developing a deeper understanding of the contents and implications of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The key feature of this day is that the Committee encourages children’s voices to be at the heart of the event.
By giving children the possibility to speak out, this event is a unique opportunity to raise their voice and tell decision-makers directly what they know and feel about the conditions under which they have encounter alternative care. Moreover, it is a unique platform where the voices of children from different backgrounds enrich the on formal and informal alternative care. Alternative care is defined as when children and young people do not live with their parents and are in the care of relatives or other adults who are not their family members.
This year, two young people in street situations assisted by two member organisations will participate in the day. Mussa from Tanzania has collaborated with Railway Children Tanzania, while Balaram from Nepal has prepared his testimony alongside Voice of Children Nepal. Both are excited as they are very aware of this unique opportunity to use this high-profile platform to share their voice with the world and thus achieve changes. Mussa and Balaram’s circumstances and experiences as street-connected young persons are challenging, but vital to share. Therefore, we know that their message will be very enlightening and inspiring for the whole sector.
The DGD 2021 topic serves as a timely reminder to advance the care agenda forward. To assist and encourage governments to better implement their responsibilities and obligations in these respects, bearing in mind the economic, social, and cultural conditions prevailing in each country. For children and young people without parental care, alternative care can pose numerous challenges for them as they grow up. As such, children’s concerns must be prioritised to bring about the necessary modifications.
Street children must always be treated with dignity and respect. They must benefit from adequate protection from abuse, neglect, and all forms of exploitation in whatever setting they find themselves. Decisions regarding children in alternative care, including those in informal care, should regard the importance of ensuring children have a stable home and meeting their basic safety needs.
States should develop and implement comprehensive child welfare and protection policies within their overall social policies to improve existing alternative care provisions. For example, by following the recommendations that emerge from the DGD, they will continue to protect street children’s rights and ensure they access quality care and protection services.
At CSC, alternative care is a topic of central focus as we are in the last step of our four steps to equality. Over the next few weeks, we will be looking more deeply into this issue and the discussions around it. We will also be sharing the conclusions and critical moments that emerged from the DGD sessions.
For more information about the DGD, click here
