Girls Speak Up for Children's Rights at the UN

This International Day of the Girl Child, we celebrate girls around the world who raise their voices for children’s rights and help shape a better future for young people.

At the recent United Nations (UN) Day of General Discussion, organised by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, two young representatives from SOS Children’s Villages shared their experiences and recommendations for protecting child rights.

Agnes, 12, is a human rights trailblazer from Benin. She credits SOS Children’s Villages with empowering her to speak her mind and raise awareness of child rights.

Agnes came to SOS Children’s Villages at the age of two. She became interested in child rights while growing up in the Village and was encouraged to pursue her passion by her SOS family. In her role representing the children in the Village, she meets with children to hear about their needs and brings this information to planning meetings. Earlier this year she was elected by SOS Children’s Villages, with support from other child care organizations, as a member of the Executive Council of Children in Benin.

“Respect for the rights of the child is very important in SOS Children’s Villages and for our development, so I am committed to defending the rights of my brothers and sisters,” explains Agnes. “SOS Children’s Villages supports me by allowing me to speak and express myself freely,” she adds.

For Agnes, promoting the participation of children in the decision-making process is about more than just benefitting an individual child – it benefits the whole community. “Participation is a shortcut for sustainable development. Let us participate in our own development and the development of our community,” she says.

Haneen, 15, is passionate about raising awareness on child rights and protection. As a member of the SOS Child Protection Team, as well as the Palestinian Children’s Council, she advocates for children in her local community and on a national level. She has campaigned for children without official documentation, including producing a brochure for school children to raise awareness of child rights and protection. As part of the Palestinian Children’s Council, Haneen has been invited by the Ministry of Education to advise on the educational environment in schools.

Haneen came to SOS Children’s Villages at the age of two and a half. During the panel discussion, Haneen thanked her SOS family for supporting her as a young human rights defender. “The fact that we are here is proof of the love we received. I want to thank my SOS mother and the youth house supervisor for the love they gave me.”