UNAMA introduces children to human rights principles

31 Jan 2016

UNAMA introduces children to human rights principles

KANDAHAR - Around 40 school children received an introduction to the principles of human rights during visits last week to UNAMA’s office in the southern province of Khandahar.

Organized by UNAMA’s local Human Rights section, girls and boys between the ages of 10-13 years made two separate visits of up to three hours each. The children, from schools in Kandahar city, were accompanied by their teachers.

The programme involved a range of age-appropriate and interactive materials, with students given the opportunity to learn through a combination of visual exercises, and question and answer sessions.

“The children were keen and showed an impressive awareness about their society and the need for more equality and opportunity,” said Regina Fitzpatrick, a UNAMA Human Rights Officer.

“We hope sharing with them knowledge about the fundamental human rights will encourage them to become young leaders of Afghanistan who work to promote and protect the human rights of all Afghans,” said Ms. Fitzpatrick.

The training sessions incorporated variously pictures and photographs, practical examples, theater performance and friendly competitions. 

Following an introduction to human rights and the principles of universality, equality, and respect, some basic rights were explained including:  education, freedom of expression, life, health, work, rest, property, and association.

“This is a very unique programme for the school children and we did not have such events in the past,” said Feroz Mahboobi, one of the teachers. “It will encourage students to learn and talk more about human rights”, he said.

The UNAMA human rights initiative is an important step towards raising awareness at a grassroots level about human rights issues. Such programmes are vital to educate the younger generation of their basic rights. It is expected that the sessions will spark further discussion amongst the school children, their friends, relatives and family members about the importance of human rights.

UNAMA is mandated to support Afghan institutions and civil society groups to enhance their contributions in disseminating messages on human rights, women rights, youth issues, development, peace and reconciliation and other messages related to UNAMA mandate.

Click here to read more about UNAMA’s Human Rights work