November 20 is World Children's Day, marking the anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This year, under the banner 'My Day, My Rights,' children's voices are front and center. It's not just a day to celebrate – it's a call to action: to stop talking about kids and start listening to them.
Yet for millions of children, rights still exist only on paper. According to 2023 figures, 272 million children and youth remain out of school, a 3 percent rise since 2015. Most live in low-income or least-developed countries, where one in three schools lack sanitation, over half have no electricity, and two in three classrooms lack digital tools. These statistics represent real kids whose potential is slipping away, not for lack of talent, but for lack of opportunity.
Why education matters
Education is the foundation for every right. The UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 aims for quality education for all by 2030, but progress is slowing. When we invest in schools, we boost health, reduce inequality, and fuel innovation. Education helps communities recover from conflict, builds resilience and tolerance, and empowers children to imagine a brighter future.
Local action, global impact
From Nepal to Nigeria, grassroots initiatives are rewriting the story. In rural Nepal, mothers – many of whom never attended school – are learning mushroom farming and handicrafts, generating income that sends children back to class. A village farmer spends weekends tracking down out-of-school kids and guiding them through enrollment. A school principal reinvests personal savings to rebuild a damaged classroom. These local champions show how inclusive solutions can break down barriers to learning.
On World Children's Day, 'My Day, My Rights' challenges us all – policymakers, educators, communities, and travelers alike – to listen and act. By centering children's voices, we can transform empty promises into real change, ensuring every child has the chance to learn, grow and lead.
Reference(s):
My day, my rights: Listening to children the world has left behind
cgtn.com
