Today we recognise Universal Children’s Day and bring attention the rights of children around the world. The theme this year is #GoBlue to call on world leaders to commit to fulfilling the rights of every child.
Universal Children’s Day was established in 1954 by the United Nations to celebrate and promote children’s rights. This day also marks the 29th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Article 34 of the Convention states that children have the right to protection from sexual exploitation and abuse. At The Code we work with hotels, travel agencies, airline associations and any organisations working in the tourism industry to prevent the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism and to implement the six criteria of The Code.
The travel and tourism industry can play a key role in preventing this crime by using their influence to create awareness and bring attention to this issue. We cannot end the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism without the support and commitment from the tourism industry.
“Sexual exploitation in travel and tourism has a child’s face! No country is untouched by this phenomenon and no child is immune. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development presents a unique opportunity to reverse this pattern and make all forms of violence against children part of our distant past.” – Marta Santos Pais, UN SRSG on Violence Against Children (Madrid, June 2017).
→ Take action this Universal Children’s Day and show your commitment to child protection by becoming a member of The Code.
