HUMAN RIGHTS MODULE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL Reference notes for the teacher: i. Human rights are fundamental rights and freedoms that belong to every human being. These rights are stated in the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) adopted by the United Nations on 10 December 1948. ii. The UDHR declares that every human being is born equal in dignity and rights, regardless of race, religion, colour, gender and status. iii. Children’s rights are stated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). iv. There are 54 articles in the CRC. v. Children are persons who are 18 years of age and below. The following are among the articles in the CRC that are relevant to the activity: • • • • • Article 2, CRC. Non-discrimination Article 24, CRC. Right to health and health services Article 12, CRC. Views of the child Article 13, CRC. Freedom of expression Article 3, CRC. Best interests of the child DID YOU KNOW? Child means a person below 18 years old – Child Act 2001 CHILD MARRIAGE is a violation of human rights! Child marriage denies children the right to: HEALTH Children who are married usually are forced to become mothers at a young age resulting in them facing the risk of death or injury during childbirth. “The risk of mothers dying during childbirth is high for female children below 15 years of age” – WHO ABUSE-FREE LIFE Children who are married have a high possibility of experiencing physical, sexual and psychological abuse throughout their lives. CHOICE Children who are married have few or no choices at all as to when and who they marry. 2017 statistics on child marriages EDUCATION After marriage, children will usually stop school if they were in school before. Children married to adults “Marriage must only be implemented with the full consent and freedom of both parties” – UDHR *Source: Oral reply in Parliament on 18 July 2018 OUR ROLE IN STOPPING CHILD MARRIAGE PARENTS reject marrying off their child to relinquish their responsibilities or to receive a dowry. The GOVERNMENT ensures that the laws and policies are firm in preventing child marriages from occurring. Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) 106 TEACHERS are sensitive to the issue of child marriage and report cases to the authorities. COURTS ensure the principle of the best interests of the child is enforced. LEADERS of society support families and children to avoid child marriages. CIVIL SOCIETY raises public awareness and holds the government responsible for stopping child marriages. #stopchildmarriage