Roma children are discriminated against twice because of their affiliation to two marginalised groups: children and Roma. As members of the Roma community, they are subject to systematic discriminatory practices and policies across Europe, which affect them by the...
Russia suppresses an organization defending LGBTQIA+ rights across Russia
On February 9, 2022, Russia’s Justice Ministry filed a lawsuit to liquidate the Charitable Foundation Sphere (CF Sphere), an important organization that defends the rights of LGBTQI+ peoples inRussia. (Lockshina 2022) The Saint Petersburg Kuibishevsky court “sidelined...
Diversity of bodies – intersex children’s rights to self-determine their own bodies
“Medicine and society need to see intersex individuals as natural. I occur in nature and I demand to make my own decisions, the same as any other person. And I demand it for any individual who is born intersex.” – Karen A. Walsh (Davis, 2016) The term “intersex” is an...
Children in armed conflict – the Ukraine crisis
In light of the recent events in Ukraine, it is important to emphasise maintaining peace and protection for all children in Ukraine. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine poses an immediate and growing threat to the lives and well-being of the country’s 7.5 million children...
Children’s right to identity – sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE)
When individuals are asked about their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (SOGIE), they often begin their stories saying: “I knew I was different (…)” (Marques, 2020). That suggests that society tells us that there is a ‘normal’ sexuality and gender...
A shameful chapter of Irish history: mother and baby homes
A recent flagship report from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), a department of the Government of Ireland, has revealed that many religious institutions in Ireland have been enabling widespread abuse of unwed mothers and...
Child brides in Zimbabwe: a call for education
Despite the development of international and national children’s rights and the intensive work of civil society, Zimbabwe is still home to numerous child marriages, threatening the development and well-being of young girls. When a State is unable or unwilling to...
The impact of COVID-19 on child marriage in the Middle East and North Africa
COVID-19 has exacerbated pre-existing vulnerabilities and amplified human rights challenges across the globe. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, young children from at-risk populations – girls in particular – have been forced to face an array of new...
The right to a healthy environment is a fundamental human right: the UN HRC Resolution
The right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment has been officially recognized as one of the fundamental human rights. This is a very important step forward, which took place on October 8, 2021, when the United Nations Human Rights Council approved...
The Mediterranean route: A dream for a better life destroyed by human trafficking
Children represent 27% of global human trafficking victims. This issue particularly affects girls, who account for two-thirds of the victims of this serious crime, which has a drastic impact on the lives of thousands of children (Save the Children, 2021). Trafficking...









