Sweden must prioritize children’s rights

Sweden has a long tradition of protecting children’s rights. We were the first country in the world to ban child abuse and over 30 years ago we were one of the first countries to sign the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 2022, our confederation chairman sat in on the final negotiations and ensured that the Convention on the Rights of the Child finally became Swedish law.

This was an important step to ensure that every child in Sweden is the bearer of their own rights and is entitled to their basic rights.

Unfortunately, an audit by the National Audit Office shows that we have a long way to go before these rights are respected in practice.

That the Convention on the Rights of the Child became Swedish law was a big and important step for children’s rights in Sweden – but now the work must be intensified so that it is followed in all parts of our society.

The review by the National Audit Office shows, for example, with all clarity that the state’s efforts have not been sufficiently effective when it comes to strengthening compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. One of the biggest shortcomings is the coordination and clarity of the government’s governance. Although there is a strategy for working with children’s rights, there is a lack of concrete goals, action plans and a budget that makes the work possible. This leads to the authorities not having clear directives on what needs to change, which in turn increases the risk of children’s rights work being de-prioritized.

Also the work of the Children’s Ombudsman is subject to criticism. Despite allocated resources, the reports to the government are insufficiently substantiated and lack the necessary statistics. It is crucial that the Children’s Ombudsman receives clearer assignments and sufficient resources to be able to carry out its work effectively.

When it comes to the school area, the school authorities also need to strengthen the children’s rights perspective in their work. The Special Education School Authority has shown that it is possible through its systematic work, but the Swedish National Agency for Education and the School Inspectorate must do more to fully integrate this perspective into their activities.

It is now high time that the government takes responsibility and acts.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is not, and should not just be, a law on paper – it should form the basis for really strengthening children’s rights throughout society.

The government must now take concrete measures to ensure that the Convention on the Rights of the Child is fully complied with. It requires clearer governance, increased resources for the Children’s Ombudsman and an increased and concerted effort from all actors.

Only by working together and goal-oriented can we ensure a safe and secure future for our children.

Unga Örnar’s confederation board

Yasmine Bladelius
Association chairman – Young Eagles National Association
Tayda Sisic
vice chairman of the association – Young Eagles National Association
Tomas Aronson Ylippää
association secretary – National Association of Young Eagles
Christian Kaddik
member – National Association of Young Eagles
Clara Persson
member – National Association of Young Eagles
Lovisa Söderholm
member – National Association of Young Eagles
Jonas Persson
member – National Association of Young Eagles
Amanda Åkerlind
member – National Association of Young Eagles
Andreas Hedgren
member – National Association of Young Eagles
Sarah Bint Ahlmeri
member – National Association of Young Eagles
Mirja Raihä
ledamot – National Association of Young Eagles
Albin Norman
member – National Association of Young Eagles