A/HRC/34/27
for all children, and for both girls and boys (see A/HRC/29/30). All children must have a
fair chance in life through equal access to quality education, in accordance with their rights
and with commitments under target 4.1 in this respect. It is vital that States take decisive
steps to ensure that no child is excluded from education on the basis of their family’s ability
to pay.
Water, sanitation and hygiene
34.
Goal 6 on sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene for all contains key
commitments to universal, equitable access, with particular attention to the specific needs
of women and girls, and people in situations of vulnerability (target 6.2). Water, sanitation
and hygiene are essential to children’s survival and the fulfilment of their right to life, yet
over 800 children under 5 years of age still die every day from diarrhoea associated with
unsafe water, sanitation and poor hygiene. These conditions are also linked to stunting in
children, compromising their physical and cognitive development. Fulfilling water,
sanitation and hygiene commitments for all children is necessary to ensuring inclusive and
equitable outcomes across the Sustainable Development Goal targets and particularly the
fulfilment of goals on health, nutrition and education.
A healthy planet and safe, sustainable environment
35.
Children are at heightened physical vulnerability to environmental degradation and
pollution, and they are disproportionately affected by natural disasters and emergencies
linked to climate change. Children in the poorest countries and from the most
disadvantaged communities are particularly affected. For example, hazardous substances in
food, water and air have a disproportionate impact on children due to their developing
physiology and higher exposure levels. National and international actions to protect
ecosystems, develop sustainable cities and bring about decisive action on climate change,
as well as sustainable energy and infrastructure, are all crucial to underpinning the
protection of children’s rights in multiple respects.
C.
Special measures to support national implementation of the 2030
Agenda in a manner in which the rights of the child are realized
36.
In order to fulfil the obligation and commitment to implement the Sustainable
Development Goals in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, child
rights principles should guide every aspect of the implementation process, including
universality, the indivisibility of their rights, non-discrimination and equality, the best
interests of the child, their right to survival and development, and the right of children to
participate. 14 As States embark on the integration of the 2030 Agenda into national
priorities and actions, special measures for the protection and inclusion of all children must
be put in place throughout planning, financing, implementation, monitoring and follow-up
processes. An essential step in this respect will be taking account of the particular
circumstances and groups of children at greatest risk of being left behind, including
children living in the most vulnerable and marginalized situations, and those subject to
discrimination. This requires taking stock of patterns of unequal access to services and
opportunities in different national contexts, in order to address the drivers of discrimination
and exclusion.
14
10
See Committee on the Rights of the Child, general comment No. 14 (2013) on the right of the child to
have his or her best interests taken as a primary consideration.
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