Over 300 young people across Myanmar reveal their understanding and experiences of Child Rights.
· More than half of the respondents indicated that they have a good understanding of children’s rights, while about four in ten said they have some level of awareness.
· When asked whether children’s rights are well respected and fully realized, over half of the respondents expressed that they do not believe those rights are adequately upheld.
· Regarding children’s right to express their views and participate in decisions that affect them, approximately six out of ten respondents said that children rarely or never have such opportunities.
· Finally, when asked whether people around them are actively supporting or promoting children’s rights, more than half reported that they have not observed such actions. At the same time, about four in ten said they believe some individuals occasionally take action in support of children’s rights.
· Only 22% of the respondents reported that they themselves or people in their community are working on behalf of children's rights.
What Young People Are Saying About Child Rights.
1. Need for Awareness and Education on Child Rights
- Strong demand for increased awareness of child rights at all levels.
- Children need youth-friendly education on their rights through training, storytelling, and accessible content.
- Respondents emphasized that leaders, parents, and communities must prioritize child-rights education.
2. Role of Global and National Leaders
- Many respondents called on leaders to place children at the center of decision-making.
- Requests for leaders to stop conflicts and ensure safe environments for children.
- Urgent action is needed to improve education, justice systems, and protection mechanisms.
- Participants stressed that investing in children brings long-term social benefits.
3. Responsibilities of Parents and Adults
- Parents and adults have a critical role in nurturing and protecting children.
- Respondents highlighted the need for positive parenting and emotional support.
- Concerns that adults often ignore children’s voices or underestimate their feelings.
- Emphasis on treating children with respect and listening to their opinions.
4. Protection Against Exploitation and Inequality
- Calls for strengthened protection from child labor, neglect, and exploitation.
- Reports of children taking on adult responsibilities due to poverty or family situations.
- Concerns about unequal access to basic needs and services among children.
- Requests for more trained professionals to support children in underserved and conflict-affected areas.
5. Creating Safe, Supportive, and Inclusive Environments
- Need for safer spaces where children can grow, learn, and express themselves.
- Importance of access to quality education, nutrition, and mental health support.
- Emphasis on creating environments where children feel valued and respected.
6. Importance of Listening to Children
- Frequent mention that children feel unheard or misunderstood by adults.
- Respondents stressed the need for adults to listen with empathy actively.
- Recognizing children’s emotions and perspectives is seen as essential for their well-being.
7. Equal Rights for All Children
- Strong advocacy for equal rights regardless of background, ethnicity, or location.
- Calls to end discrimination and support children in unstable or conflict-affected regions.
- Recognition that many children still lack access to their fundamental rights.
8. Calls for Collective Action
- Respondents urged collaboration among leaders, communities, parents, and youth.
- Emphasis on shared responsibility in protecting and promoting child rights.
- Appeals for stronger advocacy, public engagement, and community support.
9. Children as Future Leaders
- Repeated recognition that children are future leaders and drivers of societal progress.
- Investing in children’s well-being, education, and safety is seen as essential for a better future.
