What is the Convention on the Rights of the Child? In 1989 something incredible happened. Against the backdrop of a changing world order, world leaders came together and made a historic commitment to the world’s children. They made a promise to every child to protect and fulfil their rights, by adopting an international legal framework – the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Contained in this treaty is a profound idea: that children are not just objects who belong to their parents and for whom decisions are made, or adults in training. Rather, they are human beings and individuals with their own rights. The Convention says childhood is separate from adulthood, and lasts until 18; it is a special, protected time, in which children must be allowed to grow, learn, play, develop and flourish with dignity. The Convention establishes in international law that States Parties must ensure that all children – without discrimination in any form – benefit from special protection measures and assistance; have access to services such as education and health care; can develop their personalities, abilities and talents to the fullest potential; grow up in an environment of happiness, love and understanding; and are informed about and participate in, achieving their rights in an accessible and active manner. The Convention went on to become the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history and has helped transform children’s lives. What has the Convention achieved? The Convention is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. It has inspired governments to change laws and policies and make investments so that more children finally get the health care and nutrition they need to survive and develop, and there are stronger safeguards in place to protect children from violence and exploitation. It has also enabled more children to have their voices heard and participate in their societies. Despite this progress, the Convention is still not fully implemented or widely known and understood. Millions of children continue to suffer violations of their rights when they are denied adequate health care, nutrition, education and protection from violence. Childhoods continue to be cut short when children are forced to leave school, do hazardous work, get married, fight in wars or are locked up in adult prisons. And global changes, like the rise of digital technology, climate change, prolonged conflict and mass migration are completely changing childhood. Today’s children face new threats to their rights, but they also have new opportunities to realize their rights. How was it decided what should go into the Convention on the Rights of the Child? The standards in the Convention on the Rights of the Child were negotiated by governments, non-governmental organizations, human rights advocates, lawyers, health specialists, social workers, educators, child development experts and religious leaders from all over the world, over a 10-year period. The result is a consensus document that takes into account the importance of tradition and cultural values for the protection and harmonious development of the child. It reflects the principal legal systems of the world and acknowledges the specific needs of developing countries. How does the Convention on the Rights of the Child define a child? The Convention defines a “child” as a person below the age of 18, unless the relevant laws recognize an earlier age of majority. On some issues, States are obliged to provide for minimum ages, such as the age for admission into employment and completion of compulsory education; but in other cases the Convention is unequivocal in prohibiting life imprisonment without possibility of release or capital punishment for those under 18 years of age. What are the Convention’s guiding principles? The guiding principles of the Convention are: non-discrimination; the best interests of the child as a primary consideration in all actions concerning children; the child’s inherent right to life, and State Parties’ obligation to ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child; and the child’s right to express his or her views freely in all matters affecting the child, with those views being given due weight.  What is the vision of the child in the Convention on the Rights of the Child? The Convention provides a universal set of standards to be adhered to by all countries. It reflects a new vision of the child. Children are neither the property of their parents nor are they helpless objects of charity. They are human beings and are the subject of their own rights. The Convention offers a vision of the child as an individual and a member of a family and a community, with rights and responsibilities appropriate to his or her age and stage of development. Recognizing children’s rights in this way firmly sets a focus on the whole child. How is the Convention on the Rights of the Child special? The Convention: Is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history – in force in virtually all countries of the world, thus providing a common ethical and legal framework for the realization of children’s rights. Was the first time a formal commitment was made to ensure the realization of child rights and monitor progress on the situation of children. Indicates that children's rights can no longer be perceived as an option, as a question of favour or kindness to children or as an expression of charity. Children’s rights generate obligations and responsibilities that we all must honour and respect. Has been recognized by non-state entities. Is a reference for many organizations working with and for children – including NGOs, and entities within the UN system. Reaffirms that all rights are equally important and essential for the full development of a child and that each and every child is important. Reaffirms the notion of State accountability for the realization of human rights and the values of transparency and public scrutiny that are associated with it. Promotes an international system of solidarity designed to achieve the realization of children's rights. Donor countries are called upon to provide assistance in areas where particular needs have been identified; recipient countries are called upon to direct overseas development assistance to that end too. Highlights the role of society, communities and families to promote and protect children's rights. How many countries have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child? The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most rapidly ratified human rights treaty in history. More countries have ratified the Convention than any other human rights treaty in history – 196 countries – including Myanmar in 1991 - have become State Parties to the Convention. Only the United States of America has not ratified the Convention. However, by signing the Convention, the United States has signalled its intention to ratify, but has yet to do so. How does the international community monitor and support progress on the implementation of the Convention? The Committee on the Rights of the Child, an elected body of independent experts that monitors the Convention's implementation, requires governments that have ratified the Convention to submit regular reports on the status of children's rights in their countries. The Committee reviews these reports and makes recommendations to States. Where necessary, the Committee calls for international assistance from other governments and technical assistance from organizations like UNICEF. What steps do the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Rights of the Child encourage governments to undertake? Through its reviews of country reports, the Committee urges all levels of government to use the Convention as a guide in policy-making and implementation, including: having a national plan for children, monitoring how much of the budget is spent on children, conducting regular impact assessments throughout every government department using reliable data about children’s lives, and having an independent children’s ombudsman. What are some of the areas in which the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been most effective? In the 30 years since the adoption of the Convention, the lives of millions of children have been improved through the progressive realization of rights and fulfillment of obligations enshrined within the Convention and its three Optional Protocols. The Convention has inspired changes in all parts of the world, including: Incorporating child rights principles into legislation Establishing interdepartmental and multidisciplinary bodies to address child rights Developing national agendas for children Promoting ombudspersons for children or commissioners for children’s rights Restructuring of budgetary allocations for the realization of children’s rights Interventions targeting child survival and development Addressing discrimination and other barriers to the realization of child rights including socio-economic disparities among children Creating opportunities for children to express their views and be heard Expanding partnerships for children Assessing the impact of measures on children. How does UNICEF use the Convention on the Rights of the Child? UNICEF is the UN organization mandated to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged. As expressed in its Mission Statement, “UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children.” UNICEF is the only organization specifically named in the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a source of expert assistance and advice. The Convention provides UNICEF with guidance as to the areas to be assessed and addressed and is a tool to measure the progress achieved in those areas. In addition to maintaining a focus on child survival and development, UNICEF must consider the situation of all children, analyse the economic and social environment, develop partnerships to strengthen the response (including the participation of children themselves), support interventions on the basis of non-discrimination and act in the best interests of the child.

This E-learning Portal is giving the business community in Myanmar a free resource to help strengthen their operations, improve responsible business practices and boost their bottom line. With many MSMEs struggling amid Myanmar’s current political and economic crisis, this portal aims to help these businesses not just survive, but also grow, providing much-needed jobs throughout the country and helping lift people out of poverty.  Each course on the platform, which has been developed with Impact Hub Yangon, is delivered in Burmese and has been tailor-made by a different business expert from Myanmar to ensure the theoretical concepts are connected to local experiences. You can access the courses with a smartphone, computer or tablet. The portal covers a wide range of topics, from digital literacy and financial management to business development and marketing and branding. Courses on environmental best practices and women’s empowerment, meanwhile, are designed to help businesses operate more responsibly.  Each module is self-paced, allowing people to study at their own convenience. Depending on the course, they can take anywhere from 6 to 18 hours to complete. Once participants pass a final test, they are awarded a digital certificate. Users can also use the platform’s forum to communicate with their peers, share knowledge and build their professional network, as well as find articles to learn new insights and information to enhance business knowledge. The platform will continue to evolve, including adding new courses on risk management, responsible business practices, workplace gender equality, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Adnan Cheema, UNDP Myanmar’s Deputy Resident Representative, said at the portal’s launch event in Yangon: "Over 90 percent of businesses in Myanmar are MSMEs, making them a crucial engine of economic growth. They create jobs and income-generating opportunities, and contribute to the well-being of countless individuals, households, and communities.  "However, the economic crisis and the impacts of the global pandemic have left Myanmar’s MSMEs facing numerous challenges. Many have been struggling for survival, and lack pathways and resources to build their resilience and to grow.  "To address these challenges effectively, one important solution is the need for relevant business education and training. By offering these courses, UNDP Myanmar aims to make business education available to all." Find out more about the different courses available and sign up for your free account to begin using the E-learning Portal for MSMEs. You can also get updates on the platform on Facebook, LinkedIn and the dedicated Viber channel. *This article was originally published on the UNDP Myanmar website on November 2.

On 31 October 2023, humanitarian, development, and human rights organizations around the world will commemorate the 23rd anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. But what is it? And how is it relevant to the multiple crises impacting millions of women and girls in Myanmar?   What is UN Security Council Resolution 1325? On 31 October 2000, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325). It was the first resolution to recognize that conflict impacts people differently depending on their gender, and calls out two important issues: Women play critical roles in preventing conflict and building peace in communities. UNSCR 1325 acknowledges that peace and security measures are only sustainable if women are equal partners in peace processes. It calls for women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in every stage of preventing conflict and building peace in their countries. Women and girls are disproportionately impacted by violent conflict and war. UNSCR 1325 calls for special measures to protect women and girls from conflict-related sexual violence, which refers to rape, sexual slavery, forced sex work, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization, forced marriage, and any other form of sexual violence that is directly or indirectly linked to a conflict. What is the Women, Peace and Security agenda? Even before the adoption of UNSCR 1325, the principles of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda were championed by a global coalition of women’s rights organizations. Today, the WPS agenda is based on ten UN Security Council resolutions – beginning with UNSCR 1325 – and calls for action across four pillars: Participation: Calls for the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and girls in decision-making processes at national, local, regional, and international levels related to the prevention, management, and transformation of conflicts. Protection: Calls for the protection of women and girls’ safety and rights. Prevention: Calls for the prevention of conflict and all forms of structural and physical violence against women and girls, including prosecuting those responsible for violations of international law; strengthening women’s rights under national law; and supporting local women’s peace initiatives and conflict resolution processes. Relief and recovery: Calls for women and girls’ specific relief needs to be met and women’s capacities to act as agents in relief and recovery reinforced in conflict, post-conflict, and post-disaster situations.   Why is the WPS agenda important to women and girls in Myanmar? The multiple crises in Myanmar have increased the pre-existing inequalities, marginalization and vulnerabilities of women and girls. They often bear the brunt of additional and more resource-heavy and time-consuming care work, increased food insecurity, and the risk of gender-based violence (GBV). In 2022, a joint study by UN Women and UNDP in Myanmar, found nearly one in three women no longer feel safe within their own neighborhood or village during daylight hours. This stands in stark contrast to 2019 when only 3.5 percent of women reported feeling unsafe during the day. One in five women reported seeing violent behaviour against a woman or girl in their neighborhood since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The UN Secretary-General’s Report on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and recent reports from the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights point to increased conflict-related sexual violence across the country since February 2021. And local women’s rights organizations report that domestic and intimate partner violence has increased in the wake of the multiple crises affecting Myanmar.   How is the WPS agenda implemented in Myanmar and Southeast Asia? Since 2005, UN Member States have put UNSCR 1325 and the WPS agenda into action by developing government-led National Action Plans (NAP) or other national level strategies. While no WPS NAP has been developed in Myanmar, a 10-year National Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women (NSPAW) was adopted in 2013 and included a ‘women and emergencies’ category. Additionally, action plans at state level were developed in various states, including Kayin, Mon and Kayah, advancing the WPS agenda by state governments and multiple stakeholders including women civil society organizations. At the regional level, ASEAN initiated a regional plan of action on WPS, which aims to help coordinate and strengthen the WPS policies of ASEAN member states. Indonesia and the Philippines have established explicit WPS National Action Plans (NAPs), and Vietnam is in the process of developing one. Some member states, for example Thailand, have policy frameworks that align with the principles of WPS NAPs.   How does UN Women implement the WPS agenda in Myanmar? UN Women has been in Myanmar since 2013, working with an extensive network of women-led and women’s rights organizations to support vulnerable women and girls. UN Women is the global custodian of the WPS agenda. It underpins all our work in Myanmar, which includes: Creating an enabling environment for the WPS agenda in Myanmar by providing gender data and expertise critical for informing evidence-based responses across the humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding nexus. Supporting women to lead and participate in decision-making by building the capacity of women leaders and women-lead civil society organizations through institutional and technical capacity building. Topics include organizational governance and leadership, mediation and gender. Improving the protection of vulnerable women and girls and increasing respect for their human rights, including through integrated GBV prevention and response; cash-based interventions; and training community members to promote women’s rights and raise awareness about preventing gender-based violence. Increasing women’s leadership and participation in humanitarian action, including by providing funding to local women-led civil society organizations (WCSOs), so they can provide humanitarian support across the country and help strengthen other WCSOs and women’s rights organizations through capacity building and grants.   What is needed to progress the WPS agenda in Myanmar and globally? Globally, aid to peace and security continues to underprioritize gender equality, with women-led organizations’ contributions being undervalued and under-resourced. According to 2021 OECD data, only 0.68 per cent of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in Myanmar goes to women’s rights organizations. The 2023 Report of the Secretary-General on Women and Peace and Security reveals that in 2021, only 6 per cent of bi-lateral aid to conflict-affected contexts, was dedicated to gender equality as a principal objective, despite calls for moving towards and exceeding targets such as the United Nations goal of 15 per cent. As we mark 23 years since the adoption of UNSCR 1325, UN Women Myanmar joins the Security-General’s call for urgent global action to progress the WPS agenda, including: Allocate a minimum of 15 per cent of ODA to gender equality, including a minimum of 1 per cent to women’s organizations, especially grassroots groups mobilizing for peace. Increase use of accountability to strengthen the protection of women and girls in crisis settings. Support women-led civil society organizations working to promote peace and development in their communities.   More information: Watch this UN Women video overview of UNSCR 1325 in the Asia Pacific Region. Read the UN Women Myanmar Peace Facilitator’s Handbook for tools to help women leaders. both meaningfully participate in local peace processes and train other women peacebuilders. Read the UN Women Myanmar Country Profile to find out more about our work in Myanmar. Read UN Women’s expert take on what the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace means for women.

In the distance, 500-year-old stone pagodas punctuate the verdant landscape. Mrauk-U Township, where Mya Ta Saung site is located, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and for being the capital of a once-prominent Arakan kingdom.   At Mya Ta Saung’s Buddhist monastery, women patiently wait their turn to collect relief items from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Religious buildings and host communities play a key role in supporting displaced families, often acting as places of refuge in times of conflict. Carefully balancing large green sacks on their heads, they make their way back to their shelters, navigating through muddy paths and knee-high waters as the monsoon rains continue to fall. The site regularly floods during heavy rain and residents are forced to use improvised bamboo walkways to move around.  In one shelter, Oo Thein Hle, 57, huddles together with her husband, children and grandchildren inspecting the sack’s contents. Inside are basic household items including blankets, sleeping mats, kitchen sets and mosquito nets.  “Without outside assistance, our lives would be much more difficult,” said Oo Thein Hle. Her family, who were farmers,  were forced to forsake their land when mortar shells landed on their village and destroyed their home. 
  Today, Mya Ta Saung offers safety to over 1,100 people from four nearby villages. The majority arrived in 2019 when fighting between the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed organization and the Myanmar Armed Forces rocked the area.  Since the conflict began in 2018, it has displaced over 100,000 largely ethnic Rakhine people across central and northern parts of Rakhine State, of which about 51,000 still remain displaced today. The impact of the conflict is less known since much of the international focus has been on the Rohingya, another ethnic group from Rakhine State. The Rohingya have been affected by violence and face severe restrictions on their fundamental rights, including citizenship, freedom of movement and access to basic services.  Four years since their displacement, Oo Thein Hle’s family, like many others in Mya Ta Saung, struggle to make ends meet due to limited job opportunities. Rakhine is among the poorest and least developed states in Myanmar and the communities are heavily reliant on humanitarian aid provided by several organizations in order to survive.  In addition to basic household items, UNHCR also provides shelter support to displaced communities. Since January 2023, over 44,000 people in nine Rakhine townships affected by the conflict have received assistance from UNHCR. Sustainable returns unlikely  Many families in Mya Ta Saung yearn to return to their villages, but tensions and insecurity continue, threatening the fragile ceasefire agreed upon in November 2022. “There is less freedom for us here [at the displacement site]. In our village, we could do whatever we liked and go wherever we wanted…but we are scared to return,” said Oo Thein Hle. Despite being located just four miles away from the displacement site, Oo Thein Hle’s village is still considered unsafe to return to. The presence of landmines in the area means families cannot tend to their crops, maintain livestock or forage for bamboo. The village is also flanked by hills which are still occupied by armed combatants.  Adding to the pressures faced by displaced communities is the prospect that the site could be closed down by de facto authorities, a possibility that heightens their vulnerability. While Mya Ta Saung has not been slated for closure, families at several displacement sites elsewhere have been forced to return to their villages or relocate elsewhere.   “While the majority of displaced people have expressed their desire to return to their villages, many do not feel safe doing so primarily due to the fear of the reassumption of clashes and the presence of landmines. The sustainability of returns is very much linked to security,” explains Federico Sersale, UNHCR’s Head of Office in Sittwe.  “Displaced families have a right to return to their villages in safety and dignity, but the decision needs to be an informed one and of their own volition. No one should be forced to return or leave their place of displacement. UNHCR will continue to support families with humanitarian aid along with their search for durable solutions,” he adds.  With prolonged insecurity and the threat of armed conflict resuming, Oo Thein Hle is uncertain when she will be able to return home. “We might end up living here [in Mya Ta Saung] forever and die here,” she says through tears. “I feel like there is no future for us.”
END For more information on UNHCR’s assistance to communities affected by the Arakan Army – Myanmar Armed Forces conflict, please refer to our latest dashboard: https://data.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/103563 Myanmar language dashboard: https://data.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/103559 *This article was originally published on the UNHCR Asia Pacific website on October 24.