Child Rights Programming is an approach used by Save the Children and other child rights organisations to ensure their activities are based on and constantly pushes the agenda for children’s rights. It means using the principles of children’s rights to plan, implement and monitor programmes with the overall goal of improving the position of children so that all children – no matter who they are - can fully enjoy their rights and live in societies that acknowledge and respect children’s rights.

Rights-based approaches to relief and development work are based on fundamental human rights principles and standards. Child rights programming (CRP) draws upon these and upon the general principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). If you are committed to CRP, you should use the standards and principles set out in the UNCRC as your guide. All of your programme and advocacy work should be based on two key activities: helping duty-bearers meet their obligations, and supporting children (as rights-holders) to claim their rights.

Photo: Nell Garfath-Cox/Save the Children