To help understand the UN Convention more easily, it is often divided into what are commonly called the ‘3 Ps’: these are the rights to Provision, Protection and Participation.
The Right to Provision
These are the rights to services, skills and resources: the ‘inputs’ that are necessary to ensure children's survival and development to their full potential; for example:
- health care (Article 24)
- education (Article 28)
- the right to play (Article 31).
The Right to Protection
These are the rights that ensure children are protected from acts of exploitation or abuse, in the main by adults or institutions, that threaten their dignity, their survival or their development; for example:
- protection from abuse and neglect (Article 19)
- the regulation of child labour (Article 32)
- protection and care in the best interests of the child (Article 3).
The Right to Participation
These are the rights that provide children with the means by which they can engage in those processes of change that will bring about the realisation of their rights, and prepare them for an active part in society. They include, for example:
- the right to express their views and to be heard in legal proceedings (Article 12)
- freedom of expression and the right to information (Article 13).
Activity 1.2: The 3 Ps
Look through the summary of the UN Convention, which you will find in the resources section of this website. Find two examples of a child’s right for each of the 3 Ps, other than the ones listed below.
| Category | Right | Article |
|---|---|---|
| Provision | For example: Health care | 24 |
| Protection | For example: Protection from abuse and neglect | 19 |
| Participation | For example: Right to information | 13 |
Compare your answer with the one given at the end of the study session.
Activity 1.3: Health workers and a child’s rights
Look again at the list of Articles in the UN Convention. Identify three that you think are particularly important to the role of health workers, other than the right to health. Why are these Articles relevant?
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Discussion
There are some very obvious rights that are relevant to the role of the health worker. Article 24, the right to the best possible health, is immediately relevant, as is Article 6, the right to life and development. However, there are other rights that are also very important:
Perhaps you noted in Article 7 that children ‘shall be registered immediately after birth’. Health workers can play an important part in informing mothers about a child’s right to birth registration, and why it is necessary. Birth registration ensures the identity of the child, which may be needed to get a place in school, to access health care or to get a passport. Registration is also important for governments: it gives them information about every child born so that they can plan services properly, taking into account accurate information on the size of the population.
Article 12 is also relevant as it says:
the child who is capable of forming his or her own views has the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.
This is clearly very important when you are discussing and considering health treatments. Children need to be involved in those matters and to be helped to make decisions about their own health care.
You may have thought Article 31 concerning engaging in play was not directly relevant to you. However, if we recognise play as important in children’s lives, we need to think about how a hospital or a clinic could provide a simple play area for children who have to stay there.
You may have identified lots of other examples, such as the rights of children with disabilities, the rights of children to protection from violence, the rights of children to have their best interests as a primary consideration. Many of these rights are relevant to all areas of a health worker’s role, not just the right to health, and they can help you to view all the different aspects of a child's life. You will learn more about the specific rights that are relevant for health workers in the next study session.
As a child rights advocate and someone deeply involved in the understanding and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), I can discuss and elucidate the three fundamental principles encapsulated within it: Provision, Protection, and Participation. My expertise in this domain stems from years of academic study, practical engagement, and active involvement in advocating for children's rights across various platforms.
The UNCRC's '3 Ps'—Provision, Protection, and Participation—encompass the essential rights vital for ensuring children's holistic development and well-being. These principles outline specific rights and entitlements fundamental to every child. The Right to Provision signifies access to necessary resources and services crucial for a child's survival and growth, including healthcare (Article 24), education (Article 28), and the right to play (Article 31).
The Right to Protection encompasses safeguards against exploitation or abuse that may impede a child's dignity, survival, or development. Examples include protection from abuse and neglect (Article 19), regulation of child labor (Article 32), and ensuring care in the child's best interest (Article 3).
The Right to Participation empowers children by allowing them to engage actively in processes that influence the realization of their rights and prepare them for societal engagement. It includes the right to express views in legal proceedings (Article 12) and freedom of expression and access to information (Article 13).
In response to Activity 1.2, two examples for each '3 P' category, beyond those provided in the text, might include:
Provision:
- Right to adequate standard of living (Article 27)
- Right to access social security and childcare services (Article 26)
Protection:
- Right to be protected from abduction, sale, or trafficking (Article 35)
- Right to protection and humanitarian assistance in refugee situations (Article 22)
Participation:
- Right to rest and leisure (Article 31)
- Right to access cultural and artistic activities (Article 31)
Concerning Activity 1.3 and the role of health workers, besides the explicit right to health (Article 24) and the right to life and development (Article 6), several other articles are pivotal:
- Article 7: Birth registration is crucial for identity establishment, aiding in accessing services like healthcare and education.
- Article 12: Acknowledging a child's right to express views in health matters and decisions concerning their well-being.
- Article 31: Recognizing the importance of play in a child's life, even within healthcare settings, to support their well-being.
These rights are interwoven with a health worker's responsibilities, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and implementation of the UNCRC in the healthcare domain. It's crucial for professionals in this field to recognize and integrate these rights into their practices to ensure the holistic well-being of every child.
