Children call for improvements to their rights situation at National Conference for Children

Representatives of Child Led Groups “Voice 16+” from three regions, supported by Save the Children, presented the findings of a survey they had undertaken on child rights situation

They gave recommendations for improvements to the government authorities at a Conference on the implementation of the National Strategy for Children. This Conference, which is organized every year by the State Agency for Protection of Children’s Rights, involves the highest level authorities, civil society and other actors that work in the field of children’s rights.

Children see this annual conference as a great opportunity to share their annual child rights survey findings with the government and also bring very specific recommendations aiming to influence decisions that all children can benefit from.

This year, the children’s report was prepared following consultations with about 450 peers in 12 schools, 9 years grade and secondary schools, in Elbasan, Durres and Peshkopi.   
Priority topics identified by the children surveyed were: risks when using the Internet, teachers pushing students to attend private courses, drugs use by children.

The children’s survey findings showed that most children stay on the internet for a long time. For about 2/3 of children, the use of Internet has become an addiction. The survey highlights that parents allow their children to use the internet for 1-2 hours per day and they do not control internet use at home, in school or in internet cafés.

 Half of children surveyed responded that some subject school teachers push attendance at private courses. These teachers abuse their position to influence children to attend such courses. Some of the ways they influence children are: giving lower marks, names calling, and preferences to certain children in class and shouting to frighten children.  One of the most critical issues children identified is the teachers’ requirement for a “money envelope” and the negative effect this can have on children’s.  Most concern issue to children, related to the use of drugs. The number of drug users among children is increasing and children use different ways to obtain drugs: theft, borrowing money and working as a dealer.

One of the objectives of Child Led Groups “Voice 16+, supported by Save the Children, is to monitor the realization of children’s rights in the regions where the groups are based. This aims to build children’s understanding of their rights and responsibilities, facilitate child-led research on the child rights situation and monitor the implementation of Government’s Plan of Action. They monitor how children’s views are reflected in the national strategy and policy documents and ensure children’s participation  in meetings,  consultations and roundtables with decision makers  and civil society, relating to development of policies and actions that affect children’s lives. In overall they encourage and support child and youth led activities and initiatives at local level.

05/06/2013