World Children’s Day

Author: Laxsumi Ananthakumaraswamy, Research and Development Officer

World Children’s Day is celebrated annually on the 20^th of November.

It promotes the improvement of children’s welfare and raises awareness about the issues children face, as they are disproportionally affected by international development challenges.

Why the 20^th of November? On this day in 1959, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Additionally, on the same date in 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted.

Child rights are human rights! Every child should have the right to education, food, water, healthcare, the right to be heard, and a safe childhood, for the opportunity to have a prosperous and productive childhood and adulthood. However, in many parts of the world, children’s rights are under attack and overlooked.

If progress on SDGs continues at the current rate, 75% of children-related SDG targets will not be met by 2030, leaving 1.9 billion children in 140 countries behind. Currently, 333 million children live in extreme poverty, lacking access to healthcare, education, food, sanitation, and shelter.

This year’s World Children’s Day theme is “Investing in our future means investing in our children.” There is an urgent need to tackle the climate and environmental crisis. Children are particularly vulnerable to pollution, climate-induced diseases and the risks posed by natural hazards and extreme weather events. Children in 2050 are projected to be eight times more likely to be exposed to extreme heat waves compared to children in 2000. Currently, 774 million children are facing the impacts of poverty and the climate crisis. Therefore, protecting children from climate crisis is imperative to upholding their human rights. Investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, climate education, green technology and transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy can ensure a safer childhood.

On World Children’s Day, it is crucial to commit to the protection of children’s safety, especially for those living in conflict-affected areas such as Gaza, Sudan, the Sahel region, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen, Ukraine, Myanmar, and others. In 2024, 1 in every 5 children is living in or fleeing from a conflict zone. Children in conflict zones are more likely to be killed, recruited by armed groups, exposed to sexual violence, and denied basic human rights such as healthcare, education, and food. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in the deadliest conflict in modern history, with approximately 70% of casualties being children and women, particularly those under the age of 9. Globally violence against children increased by 21% in 2023. Investment in healthcare, psychological support, education, access to WASH and food security in conflict areas is essential to safeguarding children affected by violence.

World Children’s Day serves as a platform to promote and advocate for children’s rights worldwide, particularly for those most vulnerable to the climate emergency and conflict.