Children’s rights progress in the Middle East and North Africa despite lasting inequality and conflict From Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa ahead of 30 years since the Convention on the Rights of the Child AMMAN, Jordan, November 18, 2019/APO Group/ -- By Ted Chaiban “Thirty years since the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted, the Middle East and North Africa has seen notable progress in children’s rights, despite issues with governance, inequality, poverty and conflicts. “Every country in the region has ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child but progress for children has been uneven.   "The 30th birthday of the Convention of the Rights of the Child makes an excellent opportunity for the Middle East and North Africa. It’s not a one off. It’s an opportunity for all governments, the private sector, the civil society and every single responsible individual around the region to do their share and take up their responsibility in making living in this region dignified, safe and prosperous for every boy and every girl. 

“After all, children and young people in this region are asking for the very basics. They are asking for good education, for clean water, for electricity, for reliable internet connection, for clean cities and villages. They are asking for jobs, they are asking for their voices to be heard, they are asking for freedom from abuse and exploitation. In short, they are asking for “Karama”, to live in dignity.

“Surely, this is a not a lot to ask and we all have an obligation to turn these asks into a reality”. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UNICEF, Middle East and North Africa.