Safeguarding the Future: Inclusive Steps Needed for Children's Rights
Learn about the pressing challenges in safeguarding children’s rights, including education barriers, child labor, and abuse, as highlighted by Prof. Dr. Pınar Uyan Semerci on World Children’s Day.
Editors 
Safeguarding the Future: Inclusive Steps Needed for Children's Rights
“Prioritizing Children’s Safety in a Complex World”
November 20 marks World Children’s Day, commemorating the United Nations’ adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1989. While globally celebrated, this day also sheds light on ongoing violations of children’s rights, particularly in countries like Turkey.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Pınar Uyan Semerci, a leading academic at Istanbul Bilgi University, highlighted alarming trends in child rights violations in Turkey, urging for urgent, inclusive policies to address these issues.
Children’s Fundamental Right to Life Under Threat
“Children are not safe in their homes, schools, or even online,” stated Prof. Dr. Uyan Semerci. Addressing the vulnerabilities faced by disadvantaged families, she emphasized the urgent need for policies that ensure children’s safety, protection, and well-being.
From child labor to domestic violence, the risks are further exacerbated by socio-economic inequalities, climate-related disasters, and crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic instability. “Parents, teachers, and caregivers—essential pillars in a child’s life—are also affected, which magnifies the challenges children face,” she noted.
Focus on Equity: Addressing Disparities
Prof. Dr. Uyan Semerci stressed the importance of:
- Strengthening Legal Frameworks: Implementing effective monitoring mechanisms to uphold CRC principles.
- Protecting Girls’ Rights: Removing barriers to education caused by early caregiving responsibilities, especially in disadvantaged communities.
- Inclusive Education: Providing quality education accessible to all children.
“Girls, particularly from socio-economically disadvantaged families, often face early domestic burdens that hinder their education and personal growth,” she remarked, advocating for widespread gender equality campaigns.
A Call for Collective Action Against Child Violence
Addressing recent incidents such as tragic child deaths and cases of abuse, Prof. Dr. Uyan Semerci urged for greater public awareness and societal commitment to combating violence against children. “Policies targeting child safety must involve all stakeholders to ensure a holistic approach,” she emphasized.
Key recommendations include:
- Strengthening social safety nets for families.
- Raising awareness about child abuse and bullying, especially in schools and social media.
- Developing emergency response mechanisms for crises and disasters affecting children.
Child Labor: A Worsening Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic downturn have worsened child labor in Turkey. Children are often seen working in unsafe environments, such as fields and unregulated workshops, to support their families.
“We must prioritize policies to improve the conditions of children in the most vulnerable situations,” said Prof. Dr. Uyan Semerci, emphasizing the importance of:
- Ensuring universal access to healthcare and mental health services for children.
- Supporting families in poverty to reduce dependence on child labor.
Hope for the Future
As the international community observes World Children’s Day, Prof. Dr. Uyan Semerci called on governments, organizations, and citizens to uphold the spirit of the CRC. “Protecting children today is safeguarding society’s future,” she concluded.
