Introduction

This book is concerned with UNCRC Article 4 (OHCHR, 1989), which states that ‘Governments have a responsibility to take all available measures to make sure children’s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled’. While some chapters in this book note successes in this respect, many reveal the failure of governments to shoulder fully their responsibilities. This chapter introduces the section of the book that addresses young children’s rights to protection specifically. The section chapters concern young children’s rights to protection from violence (Article 19), lack of a family environment (Article 20), protection and care when affected by war and armed conflicts and special protection and help as refugees (Articles 22 and 38). Chapters in this section also focus on young children’s protection from kidnapping, abduction, sale and trafficking, detention and punishment, child labour, sexual exploitation and abuse, and the rehabilitation following victimisation by neglect, abuse or exploitation (Articles 11, 32, 34, 36, 37 and 39). However, several UNCRC articles addressing young children’s protection rights are not addressed in this section’s chapters. That omission is an authentic reflection of the paucity of research and discourse concerning the lives of children younger than 8 years who experience adoption (Article 21), drug abuse (Article 33) and juvenile justice (Article 40).