•CRC Booklet In Child-Friendly Language, Pocket
Format
Chioma Umeha
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has
launched a campaign tagged; “For every child, every right,” to create awareness
about the rights of children in Nigerian society.
Mr. Peter Hawkins, UNICEF’s new Country
Representative in Nigeria, announced this on Monday in a statement to
commemorate the Children’s Day, observed annually on May 27.
Hawkins said that while there have been many
innovations over the last few years, children in Nigeria were still not
accessing health, nutrition, education and other amenities as they ought to.
“Sadly, it is the most disadvantaged children who
are suffering the greatest challenge in having their rights fulfilled.”
This year’s Children’s Day falls during the
30th anniversary of the UN Convention on
the Rights of the Child, which is being commemorated this year around the
world.
As part of the celebrations, UNICEF is launching a
“Passport to Your Rights”, a copy of the CRC in child-friendly language, in
pocket format.
NICEF aims that every child in Nigeria has a copy
by 2030, the deadline for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNICEF revealed that the CRC ‘passport’ will also
be available in Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Pidgin languages.
“Thirty years ago, something incredible happened.
World leaders came together in a moment of unity for the world’s children.
“They made a promise to every child to protect and
fulfill their rights, by adopting the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the
Child.
“The Convention established childhood as a period
that is separate from adulthood – a time
in which children should grow, learn, play, develop and flourish.
“We want to see every Nigerian child have that
kind of childhood,” said Hawkins.
