The Child Care and Protection Act (2004) entitles all children to three fundamental Rights:
1. PROTECTION RIGHTS:
Children are to be protected from all types of violence, neglect, exploitation and abuse including physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
- Neglect – children should not be abandoned, left alone and must be provided with their basic needs.
- Physical Abuse – children must not be hit, kicked, punched or beaten in anyway.
- Emotional Abuse – children should not be cursed, insulted or made to feel bad about themselves.
- Sexual Abuse – children should not be molested by any person. Having sex with a child under 16 years old, whether boy or girl, is illegal. Girls over 16 should not be forced to have sex.
2. PROVISION RIGHTS:
- Guarantee the basic needs for children to survive, grow and develop.
- Parents/guardians must provide food, clothes, health care, home (no child should be living or begging on the street) and an education.
3. PARTICIPATION RIGHTS:
Rights that ensure children’s views are considered when making decisions that affect them and provide opportunities for them to share their views.
- Children should be given a chance to tell how they feel about a decision affecting them.
- Any child that has a point of view can participate in making a decision.
- Children should have all of the information they need in order to participate fully.
