Parents and guardians
Children's rights and your responsibilities.
In simple words
Family
- The family is the natural and fundamental unit of society and is protected by the State.
Art. 45(1)
(1) The family is the natural and fundamental unit of society and the necessary basis of social order, and shall enjoy the recognition and protection of the State.
Read the full article → - Every adult has the right to marry a person of the opposite sex, based on their free consent.
Art. 45(2)
(2) Every adult has the right to marry a person of the opposite sex, based on the free consent of the parties.
Read the full article → - Spouses have equal rights during the marriage and when it ends.
Art. 45(3)
(3) Parties to a marriage are entitled to equal rights at the time of the marriage, during the marriage and at the dissolution of the marriage.
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- Families are important, and the State protects them.
Art. 45(1)
(1) The family is the natural and fundamental unit of society and the necessary basis of social order, and shall enjoy the recognition and protection of the State.
Read the full article → - Grown-ups can choose to marry freely.
Art. 45(2)
(2) Every adult has the right to marry a person of the opposite sex, based on the free consent of the parties.
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Children
- Every child has the right to a name and a nationality from birth.
Art. 53(1)(a)
(a) to a name and nationality from birth;
Read the full article → - Every child has the right to free and compulsory basic education.
Art. 53(1)(b)
(b) to free and compulsory basic education;
Read the full article → - Every child has the right to food, shelter and health care.
Art. 53(1)(c)
(c) to basic nutrition, shelter and health care;
Read the full article → - Every child must be protected from abuse, neglect, violence and harmful practices.
Art. 53(1)(d)
(d) to be protected from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, all forms of violence, inhuman treatment and punishment, and hazardous or exploitative labour;
Read the full article → - Both parents have equal responsibility to provide for the child, whether they are married or not.
Art. 53(1)(e)
(e) to parental care and protection, which includes equal responsibility of the mother and father to provide for the child, whether they are married to each other or not; and
Read the full article → - A child should only be detained as a last resort, for the shortest possible time, and kept separate from adults.
Art. 53(1)(f)
(f) not to be detained, except as a measure of last resort, and when detained, to be held—
Read the full article → - In every matter concerning a child, what is best for the child comes first.
Art. 53(2)
(2) A child’s best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child.
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- Every child should have a name, go to school, and have food, a home and a doctor.
Art. 53(1)
(1) Every child has the right— (a) to a name and nationality from birth; (b) to free and compulsory basic education; (c) to basic nutrition, shelter and health care; (d) to be protected from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, all forms of violence, inhuman treatment and punishment, and hazardous or exploitative labour; (e) to parental care and protection, which includes equal responsibility of the mother and father to provide for the child, whether they are married to each other or not; and (f) not to be detained, except as a measure of last resort, and when detained, to be held— (i) for the shortest appropriate period of time; and (ii) separate from adults and in conditions that take account of the child’s sex and age.
Read the full article → - The most important thing is what is best for the child.
Art. 53(2)
(2) A child’s best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child.
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