You have the right to live and be safe

One of the most important principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is that every child is guaranteed the right to life. This means you have the right to live and be safe, cared for and protected.

It is the responsibility of adults to ensure that you can grow up and live in an environment that supports your development and to protect you from danger, violence, exploitation and mistreatment.

What does this mean?

The right to life means, among other things, that you are properly cared for, that no one hurts you and that you have enough nutritious food and drink, clean clothes and a safe place to live. If you become ill, adults must take care of you and help you to recover; if you feel frightened, your parents and other adults must offer you comfort and protection.

Who can you turn to if you feel unsafe? A safe adult for you might be your parent or another guardian, your teacher, a grandparent or other trusted relative, or any other adult you know and can trust.