World Children's Day

World Children’s Day is an international observance held annually on 20 November to protect children’s rights, improve their well-being, and promote international solidarity. World Children’s Day aims to draw attention to the recognition and implementation of children’s fundamental rights, including education, health, shelter, protection, and participation.

World Children’s Day (Anadolu Agency)

History

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child on 20 November 1959, and 30 years later, on the same date, 20 November 1989, it endorsed the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This convention was the first international legal instrument to recognize children not merely as vulnerable individuals in need of protection, but as rights-holding individuals. The Convention has acquired universal status, having been ratified by nearly all countries in the world.

Following the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 20 November has been observed worldwide each year as World Children’s Day. Since 1990, this date has been commemorated as the anniversary of both the Declaration and the Convention.

Children’s Rights and the Content of the Convention

Children’s rights encompass those inherent to every child from birth, including rights to education, health, shelter, protection, and self-expression. The Convention on the Rights of the Child assigns responsibilities to states, families, and society for the protection of these rights. Article 6 of the Convention affirms every child’s right to life. Article 24 guarantees every child’s right to the highest attainable standard of health. States are obligated to provide necessary protection, treatment, and rehabilitation services when children are subjected to neglect, abuse, or violence.

The Role of the United Nations and UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is responsible for coordinating World Children’s Day and raising global awareness about children’s rights. UNICEF defines this day as a “global action day for children, by children.”

UNICEF creates platforms for children to voice their opinions and ensures their perspectives are reflected in decision-making processes. In this context, various events and themes are organized each year in different countries. UNICEF Secretary-General António Guterres has described World Children’s Day as “a day to defend children’s rights and shape the future.”

Children(Anadolu Agency)

World Children’s Day Celebrations in Türkiye

Türkiye ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990. Since then, World Children’s Day on 20 November has been marked each year with various activities. UNICEF Türkiye and partner institutions organize “Children’s Forums” where children can express their views. As part of UNICEF Türkiye’s 75th anniversary, a Children’s Forum held in Ankara between 18 and 20 November brought together child representatives from all 81 provinces of Türkiye, who conveyed their recommendations and expectations regarding climate change to decision-makers. As in previous years, one boy and one girl selected from each of the 81 provinces presented a joint declaration to officials of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. Within the same framework, historical sites including Ankara Castle, Akdamar Church in Van, Aspendos Theatre, Bodrum Castle, the Trojan Horse, the statues of Nemrut Dağı, Sumela Monastery, and the Three Beauties Fairy Chimneys in Cappadocia were illuminated in blue. This symbolic initiative aims to raise awareness about children’s rights and a sustainable future.

UNICEF Türkiye Representative Regina De Dominicis, in her statement on the 2023 theme “Climate Change and Children,” emphasized that the climate crisis poses a serious threat to children’s lives, development, and future potential.

Child Health Initiatives in Türkiye

The Ministry of Health of Türkiye implements numerous national programs to protect and promote child health. Within the Health Transformation Program, maternal and child health are key priorities. Reducing infant and child mortality, lowering disability rates, and expanding early diagnosis initiatives form the core of these efforts.

Every newborn in Türkiye is monitored free of charge by family physicians nine times during the first year after birth and a total of sixteen times before reaching the age of six. These monitoring sessions include immunization, screening tests, nutritional counseling, child safety guidance, and growth and development assessments. These practices aim to support healthy child growth and development and to detect potential health issues at an early stage.