In the fight against global disease, it has been accepted by the member states of the United Nations that all children have the right to access to health care. However, around the world today, ethnic, religious and various other prejudices can prevent children from getting the medical attention they need. Migrant youth and those with mental illnesses are among the most commonly marginalized in this capacity. This is a mounting concern as the risk of a child dying before the age of five in low-income countries is eighteen times higher than in high-income countries.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay told press that, “if a child lacks health services, his or her ability to attend school will be affected. Equally, if a child is not free from violence, this will have an impact on his or her health.” Therefore, the UN member states are being encouraged to renew their efforts to curb violence and discrimination, especially among their youth populations.
As a part of the much-discussed post-2015 Millennium Development Goals, human rights are set to be the primary focus. For as research has shown, human rights and their abuse can affect every aspect of of life from education to health and economic stability.
– Morgan Forde
Source: United Nations
Photo: Paper Blog
View Clint Borgen’s speech at The Borgen Project 10th Anniversary.