Children’s Rights
By working to prevent gender-based violence (GBV), Equally Safe at School (ESAS) plays an important role in contributing to the protection of children’s rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which applies to all children up to the age of 18.
UNCRC, Gender Inequality and GBV 
The Convention has 54 articles that cover all aspects of a child’s life and set out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights that all children everywhere are entitled to. It also explains how adults and governments must work together to make sure all children can enjoy all their rights.
The rights which relate particularly to gender inequality and GBV are:
- Article 2 (non-discrimination) The Convention applies to every child without discrimination, whatever their ethnicity, sex, religion, language, abilities or any other status, whatever they think or say, whatever their family background.
- Article 19 (protection from violence, abuse and neglect) Governments must do all they can to ensure that children are protected from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and bad treatment by their parents or anyone else who looks after them.
- Article 29 (aims of education) (d): Education should prepare children for responsible life in a free society, in the spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality of sexes, and friendship among all peoples, ethnic, national and religious groups and persons of indigenous origin
- Article 34 (sexual exploitation) Governments must protect children from all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation.
- Article 39 (recovery from trauma and reintegration) Children who have experienced neglect, abuse, exploitation, torture or who are victims of war must receive special support to help them recover their health, dignity, self-respect and social life.
In addition, ESAS makes children and young people’s involvement central – by seeking their views and perspectives in how issues relating to gender equality and GBV affect them – and by working with them to decide on and carry out actions to address their concerns. This reflects article 12 of the Convention, which is also held as one of the four General Principles that underpin all the other articles:
- Article 12 (respect for the views of the child) Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously. This right applies at all times, for example during immigration proceedings, housing decisions or the child’s day-to-day home life.
Access the UNCRC here.
Access Education Scotland’s resources on how to improve practitioners’ knowledge, understanding and use of the UNCRC.
UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award
UNICEF UK works with schools in the UK to create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive. Their Rights Respecting Schools Award embeds these values in daily school life and gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens.
You can find out about the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award here.
