International Save the Children Alliance
How We Work
Children's Rights
All children are equal, and have human rights such as the right to food, shelter, health care, education and freedom from violence, neglect and exploitation. In all its work, both long-term development and emergency relief, Save the Children helps children to enjoy a happy, healthy and secure childhood.
Save the Children was an early pioneer in the field of children’s rights (see History of Save the Children). Its founder (see more about Save the Children's founder ) wrote the world's first declaration on children's rights, which formed the basis of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This treaty obliges governments to respect, protect and fulfil children’s rights, and underpins all Save the Children’s work.
The severity of global poverty, inequality and widespread conflict mean that millions of children do not realise even their most basic rights.
Save the Children continues to press for change where necessary, lobbying governments and the international community, to highlight areas where policy or practice fail to respect children’s rights.
Children have a right to be consulted on decisions that affect them – this is a key foundation of Save the Children’s distinctive approach (see more about child participation)