Article: 1 Definition of the child
 
 
 

	Yes	Yes But	No
General measures of implementation Have appropriate general measures of implementation been taken in relation to article 1, including identification and coordination of the responsible departments and agencies at all levels of government (definition of the child in article 1 is relevant to all government departments)?  identification of relevant non-governmental organizations/civil society partners?  a comprehensive review to ensure that all legislation, policy and practice is compatible with the article, for all children in all parts of the jurisdiction?  adoption of a strategy to secure full implementation  which includes where necessary the identification of goals and indicators of progress?  which does not affect any provisions which are more conducive to the rights of the child?  which recognizes other relevant international standards?  which involves where necessary international cooperation? (Such measures may be a part of an overall governmental strategy for implementing the Convention as a whole.) budgetary analysis and allocation of necessary resources?  development of mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation?  making the implications of article 1 widely known to adults and children?  development of appropriate training and awareness-raising (in relation to article 1 likely to include the training of all those working with or for children, and education for parenting)? Specific issues in implementing article 1 Does the State define childhood for the purposes of the Convention as beginning  at birth?  for some purposes before birth? Does a child acquire all adult rights by his or her 18th birthday or earlier? Do all children acquire the right to vote and to stand for election before 18?  at 18? Are protective minimum ages defined in legislation for the following : beginning and end of compulsory education?  admission to employment, including  hazardous work?  part-time work  full-time work? giving a valid consent to sexual activities?  marriage?  access to certain categories of violent/pornographic media?  buying/consuming alcohol or other controlled substances?  voluntary enlistment in the armed forces?  conscription into the armed forces?  participation in hostilities?  criminal responsibility?  deprivation of liberty in any situation, including in the juvenile justice system; immigration, including asylum-seeking; and in education, welfare and health institutions?  capital punishment and life imprisonment? Is any general principle established in legislation that once a child has acquired "sufficient understanding", he or she acquires certain rights of decision making?  Are there mechanisms for assessing the capacity/competence of a child?  Can a child appeal against such assessments?  Are there other ways in which legislation respects the concept of the child’s "evolving capacities"?  Do children acquire rights, either at prescribed ages, or in defined circumstances, for  getting legal and medical counseling without parental consent?  having medical treatment or surgery without parental consent?  giving testimony in court  in civil cases?  in criminal cases? leaving home without parental consent?  choosing residence and contact arrangements when parents separate?  acquiring a passport?  lodging complaints and seeking redress before a court or other relevant authority without parental consent?  participating in administrative and judicial proceedings affecting the child?  giving consent to change of identity, including  change of name?  nationality?  modification of family relations?  adoption?  guardianship?  having access to information concerning his or her biological origins (e.g. in cases of adoption, artificial forms of conception, etc.)?  having legal capacity to inherit?  conducting property transactions?  creating and joining associations?  choosing a religion?  choosing to attend/not attend religious education in school?  joining a religious community? Where such minimum ages are defined in legislation, have they been reviewed in the light of the Convention’s basic principles, in particular of non-discrimination, best interests of the child and right to maximum survival and development (articles 2, 3, and 6)?  Do the legal provisions relating to the attainment of majority, acquisition of specific rights at a particular age or set minimum ages, as mentioned above, apply to all children without discrimination on any ground?				Go to the main page for article , Defintion of the child  To view indicators for other articles, click here.