Children's rights

Recent enactment of legislation for the appointment of a Commissioner for Children is an important step towards strengthening the rights of children. NCW is pleased to note that this legislation gives recognition to the legal rights of the unborn...

Recent enactment of legislation for the appointment of a Commissioner for Children is an important step towards strengthening the rights of children. NCW is pleased to note that this legislation gives recognition to the legal rights of the unborn child.

Although NCW is disappointed that this legislation does not directly provide legal measures for the protection of our children and young people from the influence of mass media, Article 10 and 11 make specific provision to ensure "that the best interests of the child and the family are paramount" and also provide guidelines promoting "the best interests of children" in the field of education, among others.

Both these articles therefore, provide the legal obligation to ensure that the Education Act be amended to address these needs and, more positively, to provide the necessary tools for children to be discriminating and critical users of mass media. These amendments will pave the way for the long overdue introduction of media education in the national minimum curriculum.

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