A World That Deserves Children Surely Deserves Us All
November 20: Anniversary of the Adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Universal Children's Day
November 20 marks World Children's Day, a significant date in the fight for children's rights. It was established 70 years ago in 1954 as Universal Children's Day, and five years later, in 1959, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. In 1989, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child and it was signed by 193 countries making it the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history.
Since then, the world has changed dramatically. Advances in science, technology, and industries have transformed daily life, making it almost unrecognizable compared to the late 20th century. Electronic devices like computers and mobile phones, combined with the rise of the internet and social media, have revolutionized communication and living standards for many, though not all. On the day the convention was adopted, nations pledged to prioritize children’s rights and their best interests. Yet, despite this global commitment, the world has become increasingly unsafe and dangerous for children. Every five seconds, a child dies somewhere in the world[1]. Over 160 million children, nearly 1 in 10 worldwide, are engaged in child labor, with many forced into hazardous conditions, including through trafficking[2].
In its 2024 appeal, UNICEF has requested an urgent $9.3 billion to support at 93.7 million children in 155 countries[3]. Through this effort, UNICEF aims to assist:
147 million people, including 93.8 million children
80.8 million women and girls, of whom 50.1 million are girls
14 million people with disabilities, including 9.3 million children with disabilities
UNICEF's programs aim to vaccinate 17.3 million children, provide treatment for 7.6 million children suffering from acute malnutrition, support 26.7 million children, adolescents, and caregivers with community-based mental health and psychosocial services, reach 14.8 million women, girls, and boys with gender-based violence prevention and response interventions, and ensure that 19.3 million children gain access to formal or non-formal education, including early learning programs.
One in every five children is stripped of their childhood[4] due to war, displacement, hunger, homelessness, lack of education, child labor, exploitation, and other crises. In Gaza, since October 7, 40% of children have been killed, while over half a million children remain trapped under bombardment, hunger, and homelessness.
To grasp the magnitude of this injustice, consider the stark contrast: According to a Bloomberg[5] report, on November 6, the world’s 10 wealthiest individuals collectively gained nearly $64 billion in a single day. This glaring disparity, where billions of dollars are amassed in mere hours, while countless children are trapped in poverty and deprivation, losing their lives every five seconds, exposes a system that prioritizes profit over the basic rights and well-being of the most vulnerable.
This deep inequality is clearly evident in Iran, where the conditions for children are deeply troubling. Nearly 7 million children are engaged in labor[6], while 2 million are unable to enroll in school. 40% of children lack access to adequate food, clean drinking water, and medical care[7],[8]. Dropping out of school is increasing, with many refugee and migrant children excluded from education altogether. Child suicide is on the rise, driven by poverty, family oppression, and mistreatment by school officials[9]. Drug and substance abuse has reached alarming levels among elementary school children, and the exploitation of children in pornography and sexual abuse is disturbingly widespread. These violations of children’s rights are the result of systemic oppression and a dictatorial regime that prioritizes power over humanity. Addressing these issues requires confronting the root cause: dismantling systems of exploitation and creating a safe and just society for children.
As the Middle East faces escalating unrest and the Iranian regime pushes for regional conflict, it is critical to reflect on the Iran-Iraq War and the regime’s devastating use of children during that time. Iran has a long-documented history of involving children in armed conflicts. During the eight-year war with Iraq, over 33,000 high school students were killed, 2,853 were injured, and 2,433 were taken prisoner, according to the "Foundation for Preserving and Promoting the Values of the Sacred Defense." Children as young as nine were recruited into paramilitary organizations, as reported by Child Soldiers International. This exploitation stems from a 1980 decree by Ayatollah Khomeini, which led to the formation of the Student Basij. This organization recruited children from elementary and middle schools for military training and operations. A tragic example is Mohammad Hossein Fahmideh, a 13-year-old child soldier who sacrificed his life during the First Battle of Khorramshahr in 1980 by detonating a grenade belt under an Iraqi tank. His story is celebrated as a symbol of martyrdom, perpetuating a narrative that glorifies the use of children in warfare.
To maintain legitimacy and glorify the culture of martyrdom, the Iranian regime has institutionalized efforts to preserve the memory of war martyrs like Fahmideh. Since 1997, the student branch of the Basij Force has organized annual tours called “Travelers to Light,” taking students to battlegrounds in southern and southwestern Iran. These tours aim to “familiarize the future makers of Iran with epic legends” while instilling loyalty to the regime’s ideology.
More recently, 2,400 high school girls have reportedly been involved in similar programs, raising concerns about the regime’s continued use of children to advance its political and military agenda. The preparation of children and youth for another potential war draws disturbing parallels to the past.
Iran signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1994, which prohibits the use of children in military activities. However, like other obligations under the Convention, including the prohibition of child labor, child marriage, and the execution of minors, this commitment has been systematically ignored. The regime’s recruitment of individuals under 18 for military training and operations flagrantly violates international laws and children’s fundamental rights.
In the face of such atrocities, even dozens of international conventions and treaties cannot bring about meaningful change on their own. True transformation demands addressing the root causes of injustice, seizing power from those who plunder public wealth, and creating a safe and secure future for all children. Only through decisive action and systemic change can we create a world where children are free to thrive and realize their full potential.
A world capable of providing for and nurturing children, ensuring their well-being, rights, and opportunities, is a world that is truly good for everyone.
November 20, 2024
[1] https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/child-or-youth-died-once-every-44-seconds-2021-un-report#:~:text=A%20child%20or%20youth%20died,seconds%20in%202021%20%E2%80%93%20UN%20report
[2] https://www.unicef.org/protection/child-labour
[3] https://www.unicefusa.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/Humanitarian-Action-for-Children-2024-Overview.pdf
[4]https://www.unicefusa.org/what-unicef-does/emergency-response/conflict#:~:text=Some%20400%20million%20children%20%E2%80%93%20about,war%20or%20other%20violent%20conflicts.
[5]https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-07/trump-s-election-win-supercharges-net-worth-of-world-s-richest-by-64-billion
[6] https://www.iranintl.com/en/202308011543
[7] https://iranfocus.com/life-in-iran/50275-iran-1-5-million-children-on-verge-of-dropping-out-of-school-14-million-without-proper-food/
[8] https://iranfocus.com/life-in-iran/49972-thousands-of-iranian-children-will-miss-the-new-school-year/
[9] Unpublished report by Child Rights Activists in Iran (in preparation). More information at https://www.craii.org/
