May is child’s month and in celebrating this, TEENage has decided to remind TEENs that as children they are entitled to certain basic human rights. All around the world and in Jamaica we see many children dying, abandoned and being abused- physically or emotionally. United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) is an organisation devoted to the welfare of children and co-operates with the World Health Organisation in immunisation programmes. It has come up with some basic rights of a child. Children have rights as human beings and also need special care and protection.

Children have the right to life, survival and development and respect for their views. They have the right to an education and a standard of living adequate for his/her physical, mental, spiritual, moral, and social development. They should be protected from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.

Childhood in itself is a right to be protected by any nation.

In Jamaica, the Child Development Agency has developed a Child Care Protection Act. This is a new law which makes rules about the care and protection of every Jamaican child. The act clearly states that both parents, whether or not they live with the child, have the main responsibility for the care and protection of the child. This follows suit if the child is living with a guardian, step-or adoptive parents. It follows the basic rights of a child outlined by UNICEF and states that a child should be protected from abuse (sexual or emotional), neglect and harm.

The Act further points out that a child’s complaint should not be ignored, and administrators and staff of places of safety are required to forward to the Children’s advocate the child’s complaint. They are to ensure that the child is brought to a place of safety before going before the court. All children accused of committing a crime are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

It also states that community and general public members have the duty to prevent abuse, report suspected cases of abuse and prevent child labour. A child should never be neglected and a blind eye should never be turned away from abuse of a child.

Yes, as children we have rights too and in celebrating Child’s Month, let’s not forget that.