20. November 1989: Adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Poor Children with refractive errors excluded from education
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- The orthopist Susan Buergi (CBM) adapted glasses to Edwin (4, right). He lives in Kibera, a slum area in Nairobi, Kenya. The project Kikuyu Eye Unit is run by CBM’s partner, the Presbyterian Church of East Africa. © CBM
On the occasion of the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on 20. November, CBM President Allen Foster points to the right of children to education:
"As many as one in 20 children in Africa and Asia cannot see well at school because they need spectacles, although the correction of near and long sightedness is simple and inexpensive – less than 10 Euro for a pair of spectacles for a child in Africa.
This small amount of money can make a big difference to the life of a boy or girl, who can then study at school, read what the teacher has written on the board for the first time in their lives, and have the chance of education and future self-betterment."
"As many as one in 20 children in Africa and Asia cannot see well at school because they need spectacles, although the correction of near and long sightedness is simple and inexpensive – less than 10 Euro for a pair of spectacles for a child in Africa.
This small amount of money can make a big difference to the life of a boy or girl, who can then study at school, read what the teacher has written on the board for the first time in their lives, and have the chance of education and future self-betterment."
WHO: New estimates on refractive errors
Recently, the World Health Organisation released new estimates on the issue, revealing that "153 million people around the world have uncorrected refractive errors." Professor Allen Foster: "The new WHO figures on the magnitude of refractive errors highlight the need for better eye care services for millions of people who need spectacles to see clearly in low income and middle income countries."
In 2005, CBM examined over 2 million people for spectacles
In 2005, CBM examined over 2 million people last year for spectacles and provided over 600,000 spectacles to children and adults. "However these impressive figures need to be seen in the context of over 150 million people actually being unable to see well today, because they do not have the spectacles they need", says Allen Foster.
If you wish to contribute to CBM’s programmes for children with visual impairments, please visit our donation page.
If you wish to contribute to CBM’s programmes for children with visual impairments, please visit our donation page.
UN-Convention aims to ensure children's rights
Universal Children’s Day commemorates 20. November 1989, when the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, ensuring the human rights of children and their special need for care and protection. Among the 54 articles of the convention, article 28 deals with the rights of all children to education – whether with or without a disability -, which state parties have to ensure. Since the adoption of the Convention, still many children with visual disabilities in developing countries have no chance to enjoy their right to education.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights—civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. The Convention sets out these rights in 54 articles and two Optional Protocols. It spells out the basic human rights that children everywhere have: the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life. The four core principles of the Convention are non-discrimination; devotion to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child.
Read more: Education of Persons with Visual Impairment
Further information: UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights—civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. The Convention sets out these rights in 54 articles and two Optional Protocols. It spells out the basic human rights that children everywhere have: the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life. The four core principles of the Convention are non-discrimination; devotion to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child.
Read more: Education of Persons with Visual Impairment
Further information: UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
