Queen Mathilde and Unicef call for better protection of children's rights
Queen Mathilde of Belgium inaugurated an international conference on children's rights at the Egmont Palace in Brussels on Friday, marking the 35th anniversary of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child. Organised by the FPS Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, UNICEF Belgium and Plan International Belgium, the event, titled Children’s Rights at a Crossroads: Evolving Humanitarian Crises, spotlighted the urgent need to protect children in the face of escalating global challenges.
Global crisis
"Children's rights are under threat all over the world," Queen Mathilde stated during her address. Serving as honorary chair of UNICEF Belgium since 2009, she drew attention to the alarming combination of crises children face today. "The combination of wars, climate change, pandemics, growing poverty and inequality creates a dramatic reality for children worldwide," she reported.
Kitty van der Heijden, UNICEF's deputy director, reinforced the Queen's message, underscoring the devastating toll on children in crisis zones. "Children are experiencing terrible situations: violence, amputation, abduction and sexual violence are just a few examples," she said. She disclosed that 2023 saw the UN record nearly 33,000 violations of children's rights, the highest number ever reported. Van der Heijden called for stronger international collaboration to protect children before, during, and after humanitarian crises.
Climate change and gender roles
Both Queen Mathilde and Van der Heijden focused their remarks on two key issues: the impact of climate change and the rise of gender-based violence against girls. "We must take measures that specifically target girls and women. We are seeing a dramatic increase in sexual violence against young girls," Van der Heijden added.
Fatima and Halima, representatives of Plan International Nigeria, shared first-hand accounts of the destructive effects of climate change on their communities. "Our city has been flooded as a direct result of climate change. Many people had to leave their homes or died, but this is our reality," said Fatima. She described the dire conditions in refugee camps, where cholera outbreaks are rampant due to inadequate hygiene.
Their research, conducted in Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Mali, demonstrates how climate change disproportionately impacts girls. "Children, but especially girls, have to drop out of school due to the consequences of climate change," they explained. "With drought reducing food and water availability, girls often bear the responsibility of securing resources, forcing them to abandon their education."
Fatima and Halima also drew attention to the physical and mental health challenges girls face, including an increased risk of sexual violence and limited access to healthcare and contraception. They stressed the importance of including children and young people in decision-making processes. "We ask you to make our voices heard in solving these problems," they urged the audience.
The opening debates addressed ongoing global conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Participants briefly discussed the International Criminal Court's recent decision to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, underlining the intersection of justice and children’s rights in conflict zones.
Following the speeches and debates, working groups convened to develop actionable solutions to the growing challenges facing children. Experts and policymakers from around the world collaborated to ensure that children’s rights remain a priority in humanitarian and development agendas.
Though Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib was unable to attend due to an economic mission in Brazil, the conference underscored Belgium’s commitment to advancing children’s rights globally.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium pictured during an International conference Children's Rights at a Crossroads: Evolving Humanitarian Crises on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, Friday 22 November 2024, in Brussels. © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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