Children's Rights and Protection

Development assistance has improved the lives of many children through programs in health, education, nutrition, access to water and sanitation, and family incomes. However, some children continue to be marginalized by armed conflict, natural disasters, sexual exploitation and trafficking, and HIV/AIDS.

Children in the world's poorest countries face many risks. Many also run households, earn income, and have children themselves. They are holders of human rights and are key actors in their own development. They have the greatest potential to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty-given the right tools and the right opportunities.

The world has made strong commitments to the rights of children through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Millennium Development Goals, most of which involve the fulfilment of the rights of children. Canada is a world leader on children's rights, increased spending on child protection fivefold between 2000 and 2005, and is building leading-edge expertise on programming for children.

CIDA's strategy for child protection aims to increase the realization of the rights of children, particularly those in need of special protection, through capacity building for government and civil society, targeted social services, and meaningful child participation.