World Children's Day: A day to promote children's rights and celebrate family

November 19, 2024
Weltkindertag: Ein Tag, um Kinderrechte zu fördern und Familie zu feiern
Published on  Updated on  

Children are the heart of our society. They bring joy, hope, and the responsibility to secure their future. World Children's Day was established by the United Nations in 1954 to raise awareness of children's rights and promote children's needs worldwide.

It is a day that invites us to pause, reflect on the importance of children in our society and consciously spend time with our loved ones.

Why World Children's Day is important
World Children's Day reminds us of the importance of giving children a voice and protecting their rights. At the same time, it invites us to focus on child development and supporting families.

Idea: Ask your children what they want for the day. Often, it's the small, simple things like time together, playing a game together, or going for a walk that they value most.

The development of children in Switzerland: challenges and opportunities
In Switzerland, the situation of children has changed significantly in recent decades, both demographically and in terms of state support.

Decline in birth rate
The birth rate in Switzerland has declined continuously since the 1960s – from 2.5 children per woman to less than 1.4 children per woman in 2022 ( economiesuisse.ch ).

Reasons for the decline:

  • Women’s employment: Many women postpone starting a family in favor of their careers.
  • High cost of living: Especially in urban areas, financial considerations influence the decision to have children.
  • Changed values: Self-realization and career planning are often the focus.

Progress in family policy
In recent decades, numerous measures have been taken to support families in Switzerland:

  • Childcare: The expansion of daycare centers and day-care centres makes it easier for parents to combine work and family ( swissinfo.ch ).
  • Financial support: Child benefit and tax relief provide relief for families.
  • Parental leave: Although there is movement in the discussion, parental leave remains short compared to other countries and is often criticized.

Child-friendliness worldwide: Where does Switzerland stand?
According to the 2024 Best Countries Ranking, Switzerland is one of the most child-friendly countries in the world, ranking 8th. Denmark, Sweden, and Norway are leading the way ( US News & World Report ).

The rating is based on:

  • Security: A stable environment with low crime rates.
  • Education: High-quality educational and childcare services.
  • Health: Availability and quality of medical care.
  • Family-friendly policies: parental leave, financial support and flexible working models.

Worldwide: 2.2 billion children
According to UNICEF, there are approximately 2.2 billion children worldwide—approximately 28% of the world's population ( UNICEF report ). This figure demonstrates the importance of focusing globally on children's rights and ensuring a secure future for them.

Consciously plan family time
World Children’s Day is not only a day for social discussions, but also an invitation to create personal moments with the family:

  • Take a walk together: Explore nature together, collect leaves, or tell stories.
  • Family Yoga: Use simple exercises like child's pose or tree pose to find peace and closeness.
  • Creative activities: Do crafts or paint together and talk about what makes children happy.

Conclusion: For the future of our children
World Children's Day reminds us how important children are to our society. It is our responsibility to promote their rights and provide them with a safe, supportive environment.

Use this day to pause, spend time with your loved ones, and reflect on how we can actively shape our children's future.

What are your thoughts on World Children's Day? Share your ideas and moments with us in the comments.

Leave a comment

Please note that comments must be approved before publication.