April 2025
Namaskar!
I hope this message finds you well. Today, I write with a heart full of gratitude and reflection. Every day brings a new opportunity for learning — something that once seemed distant but now feels wonderfully real. Today was no exception, as we dove deep into a topic that touched me profoundly: Child Rights.
Our discussion opened my eyes in ways I hadn’t anticipated. As the session unfolded, I found myself confronting a truth I could no longer ignore: how often I speak to my children without gentleness, and how often I fail to truly listen when they speak. It was a humbling realization. The rights of children are not just lofty ideals written in documents; they are living, breathing responsibilities that begin with how we engage with them every single day.
Our trainer, Sunita, spoke passionately and knowledgeably, weaving a powerful story around the life of Eglantyne Jebb — the pioneering advocate who first championed child rights. She transported us back to the aftermath of World War I (I realized later it was World War I, not II), a time when children across Europe suffered immensely. It was Eglantyne’s relentless compassion that ignited a global movement to recognize children as individuals with their own rights, deserving of protection, development, and dignity.
But this change did not come easily. Sunita reminded us that the path to securing child rights was long and filled with struggle. What struck me most was Eglantyne’s unwavering belief: “Every war, every disaster, every crisis, ultimately breaks the children the hardest.” Her courage laid the foundation for the rights we now pledge to uphold.
Today, we learned that there are 54 articles dedicated to child rights, enshrined in the UN Convention. To help us internalize these vast commitments, Sunita simplified them into four core pillars:
- Survival: Every child has the right to live and thrive.
- Protection: Every child must be shielded from harm, abuse, and exploitation.
- Development: Every child deserves education, health, and emotional well-being.
- Participation: Every child has the right to be heard and to take part in decisions that affect them.
Each pillar is not just a principle but a call to action. A reminder that it is our duty to create spaces where children feel safe, respected, and empowered.
As I absorbed today’s lessons, a silent promise formed within me: to speak more gently, to listen more deeply, and to remember that every word and action shapes the world my children will inherit. Learning about child rights is not just about laws or frameworks — it is about changing ourselves first, so we can build a better world for them.
I am filled with hope and determination. This is just the beginning of a beautiful journey toward becoming a better listener, a better guide, and a more responsible adult for the children who trust me with their hearts.
Let’s not wait; let’s start today. The rights of children are not optional; they are essential. Therefore, we are all committed to changing our behaviors. Thank you for providing such an important topic.