Abstract
The aim of this paper is to thoroughly examine the following issues: a) attitudes and awareness levels of the Cypriot society in regard to the contents of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and b) the views of this society regarding (the extent of) the protection of these rights by the State. Research data have been collected from three populations in Cyprus: (a) elementary students aged 9-13 years old; (b) high school students, and (c) university students and adults aged 18 years and older. The whole sample consisted of 1435 Cypriots who participated in the survey through telephone interviews and questionnaires, as well as 18 individuals (adults) that participated through focus groups and personal interviews. The results show some of the most serious problems of the Cyprus society regarding the rights of children.
Highlights
In recent years, efforts to consolidate children’s rights have intensified across many countries
No largescale, comprehensive survey in Cyprus exists that examines the awareness levels of both children and adults regarding children’s rights and the potential barriers this lack presents to children
Results indicate that a majority of students are not aware of the UNCRC’s definition of the term ‘child.’ 22.8% of the students were aware that the term ‘child’ referred to individuals aged 0-18 years
Summary
Efforts to consolidate children’s rights have intensified across many countries. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (1989) strengthened these initiatives. It is the most widely recognised human rights agreement in the world. The Convention, consisting of 54 articles, is the first global, legally binding document for the rights that all children should enjoy, and is considered as a milestone in the history of human rights globally. It establishes the basic principles defining children’s rights to protection, provision and participation across the different stages of their development. This study firstly analyses the issue of children’s rights, provides an overview of the methodology used in this study, presents findings, and proposes some suggestions for action to increase awareness and protection of children’s rights in Cyprus
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