Written by Adeyinka Onabolu, Gender and Child Protection Technical Specialist, World Vision Canada
World Children’s Day is the global day of action for children, marking the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Although the UNCRC recognizes children as active participants in their lives, due to enshrined attitudes and beliefs within families and communities, they are often deprived of agency and influence over decisions that affect them. Children continue to be impacted by decisions without their input and participation, affecting their lives and futures. This is especially the case for girls. However, enhancing children’s participation and empowerment increases their protection as they gain access to critical information about their risks, rights and needs. This allows them to support themselves and their communities in tackling harmful social norms that perpetuate gender-based violence.
Girls and boys as powerful agents of change
Children want their voices to be heard and play a significant role as agents of transformation. Active engagement of children and young people in advocacy and campaigning is essential to promote policy reform, implementation and monitoring. Through decades of work, World Vision has learned that children and youth participation ensures better results not only for them but for the entire community. Our work provides a platform for children to cultivate, amplify and have their voices heard through platforms like children and youth clubs, child parliaments and peace clubs. We raise awareness about children’s rights and empower children with the skills and knowledge to protect themselves and each other. Children learn life skills, discover their leadership abilities and build confidence and self-esteem while gaining strategies to champion their voices and protect themselves by standing up to and taking action against violence. Many of these children’s club members have become child rights leaders in their communities, actively addressing challenging issues such as child, early and forced marriage (CEFM), gender inequality, lack of access to basic amenities and protection issues.
In 2023, 61,803 children and youth—31,940 female and 29,863 male—participated in groups and clubs, gathering with peers to develop new skills and positive values. Meanwhile, 2,155 children’s clubs are bringing girls and boys together on topics like peace, advocacy, and good water, sanitation and hygiene habits.
Through peer groups, children and youth in Bangladesh are being equipped with skills to stand up for their rights as part of the Youth Empowered Project.
Spotlight: Peer groups enable children and youth to take action in Bangladesh
The Youth Empowered Project is a three-year, multi-sectoral project supported by Global Affairs Canada to enhance the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of adolescents and youth 10- 24 years of age, particularly girls and young women in Bangladesh. Through the Youth Empowered Project, peer groups (composed of adolescent girls and boys aged 10 to 17) are trained and empowered to raise awareness of gender equality and the impacts of CEFM and SRHR. They have become pivotal in preventing CEFM due to their trusted relationships with peers and other community members. Since peer group members possess a unique understanding of local dynamics, cultural nuances and social structures, they have connected with community members on a personal level, fostering trust and open communication. Through peer-to-peer interactions, they disseminate valuable information about the adverse consequences of early marriages, the importance of education and the available health, protection and psychosocial services.
In 2023, the peer group members stopped 38 child marriages and referred 30 adolescent girls and women to community clinics for SRHR services and counselling. By leveraging their position as trusted community members, they have become influential advocates for change, facilitating a more profound impact on the project’s goal to combat early marriages and promote SRHR awareness. Their role exemplifies the power of community-driven initiatives and the positive influence adolescents and youth within the community can exert in fostering meaningful change.
Alongside World Vision’s work to strengthen children and youth voices, we work with parents, communities and duty bearers to recognize the value of child and youth participation and agency. We are committed to creating spaces for children and youth to contribute meaningfully at home, in their schools and communities, and at government levels.