Strengthening girls’ and boys’ participation through a child-rights programming perspective

Save the Children works towards ensuring that all citizens, including children, have the right and the opportunity to participate and be involved in decision-making that has an impact on their lives. Applying a rights-based approach to programming means putting girls and boys (from various backgrounds) at the centre, recognising them as right-holders and social actors and recognising governments as primary duty-bearers accountable both to their citizens, including children, and to the international community. This is the backdrop against which the three-day workshop on ‘Strengthening Girls’ and Boys’ Participation through a Child-Rights Programming Perspective’ was held in Dhaka in 2003.The workshop also intends to serve as a handy guide and reference book for those interested in adopting this approach.