The International Day for the Protection of Children

International Day for Protection of Children is celebrated on 1 June every year. The day is marked to honour children globally for their right to survival, to develop, protection from harmful influences, and to participate in family, cultural and social life.

“Safety and security don’t just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.”

Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa

International Children’s Day, which is distinct from Universal Children’s Day, is celebrated every year on June 1st. While the observance of June 1st as Children’s Day is widespread, not all countries officially recognize it as such. On this day, the International Day for the Protection of Children is also observed, contributing to the establishment of June 1st as a globally acknowledged day dedicated to celebrating children.

The International Day for the Protection of Children was established universally in 1954 with the aim of safeguarding children’s rights, eradicating child labor, and ensuring access to education. Universal Children’s Day, on the other hand, was created in 1954 through a United Nations resolution to transform societal attitudes towards children and improve their well-being. It serves as an occasion to advocate for and uphold the rights of children, emphasizing that these rights are not distinct or separate but are fundamental human rights. Every child is a human being deserving of equal treatment and should be celebrated accordingly.

In 1925, the World Conference for the Well-being of Children designated June 1st as a day to bring global attention to issues affecting children. Participating countries recognized the responsibility of humanity to provide the best possible care for children. This conference led to the adoption of the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child.

In 1959, the United Nations adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which was influenced by the structure and content of the Geneva Declaration. The new declaration outlined ten principles to protect children both before and after birth and laid the groundwork for the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. This convention, which has been rapidly and widely ratified, stands as the most comprehensive international human rights treaty in history, further safeguarding the rights of children. These listed documents consider children to be one of the most vulnerable social groups in any society.