How well do you know children's rights?
My daughter proudly says: «Look, Mummy, it's now exactly quarter to eight». She has finally learnt to read the clock. I am torn from my thoughts and think: it's high time for her to go to bed. But she looks at me mischievously and replies: «I can't sleep now, I'm playing.»
When I refuse to accept this argument, she replies: «Playing is a child's right, don't you know that?». Since the topic of children's rights has been on my daughter's curriculum in year two, I have also learnt a lot of new things.
In addition to the right to play, my daughter particularly likes the right of children to have secrets.
I am now constantly reminded of their rights, which doesn't make everyday life and putting them to bed any easier. At the same time, I'm amazed because, given that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted 33 years ago, we are often still a long way from implementing it - even in Switzerland.
Have a say and keep secrets
In addition to the right to play, my daughter particularly likes the right of children to have secrets. In fact, children have a right to have their dignity and privacy respected. So a sign with the capital letters «Secret. Do not disturb!»
Having a say is now a big issue for us. Everything is discussed and even if my nerves are sometimes frayed, my daughter is right: children are allowed to have a say on issues that affect them. I realise that it's not always easy to implement children's rights in detail.
Children's rights: New teaching material for schools
The aim is to sensitise children and young people to their rights and to support teachers.
This year, the focus is on «Equal opportunities and equal rights». The new teaching materials are available to teachers free of charge in the three national languages at www.children-rights.ch.
And although some of the rights of children in Switzerland, such as living in peace, receiving healthy food, going to school or receiving medical care, seem to be a matter of course, there is still room for improvement.
Slaps and withdrawal of love
Even if it's hard to imagine, in this country a slap on the bum, shaking children or even slaps in the face are part of everyday life in many families. Almost half of Swiss parents use physical or psychological violence against their children.
This is shown by a recent study by the University of Freiburg, in which 40 per cent of the 1013 parents surveyed admitted to having used corporal punishment at least once.
Swiss law does not explicitly prohibit corporal punishment of children - unless it leads to visible damage.
15 per cent of parents have already hit their child on the bottom with their hand, seven per cent give out slaps. Almost one in six parents resort to psychological violence in the form of verbal abuse or withdrawal of love.
The fatal thing is that Swiss law does not explicitly prohibit corporal punishment - unless it leads to visible damage. Conversely, this means that slaps or light blows are permitted.
Some politicians are therefore campaigning for the right to a non-violent upbringing to be enshrined in civil law - just as it is enshrined in children's rights.
Equal treatment
The Swiss Children's Rights Network regularly reviews the implementation of children's rights. In its NGO report, it confirms that children's rights have so far been «insufficiently implemented». In addition to the finding that violence is part of everyday life in Swiss families, the report particularly emphasises that the approximately 260,000 children living on the poverty line are severely disadvantaged.
These children are not only materially disadvantaged, they are also socially marginalised in everyday life and have poorer educational opportunities. Refugee children in Switzerland have a particularly difficult time. The Swiss Children's Rights Network has published a report on children and young people together with children and young people.
When children deal with their own rights and are aware of them, they feel confident and empowered.
In it, the next generation demands a say, both within the family and in schools and politics. The issues of equal opportunities and equal rights also stand out. The children demand: each of them must be treated equally. Specifically, all children and young people should have the opportunity to receive an education and participate equally in social life.
Strengthening children
How can parents, teachers and people who interact with children stand up for children's rights? There are great opportunities if we stand up for them in our own environment. We can promote children's independence, trust them and take their opinions seriously.
Give them space to play and, above all, educate them without violence. We adults can educate children and young people about their own rights. Many teachers already teach children's rights in the classroom. To make their work easier, there are various organisations that providefree teaching materials on children's rightsat .
My daughter is a good example: When children deal with and know their own rights, they feel confident and empowered. The topic can be taught every day - and not just at school - while playing, learning or during a family outing. Children have a right to know.
