CRC/C/GC/7/Rev.1
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all children (art. 6), the Committee recommends that States parties take all necessary measures to
ensure that all children are registered at birth. This can be achieved through a universal,
well-managed registration system that is accessible to all and free of charge. An effective
system must be flexible and responsive to the circumstances of families, for example by
providing mobile registration units where appropriate. The Committee notes that children who
are sick or disabled are less likely to be registered in some regions and emphasizes that all
children should be registered at birth, without discrimination of any kind (art. 2). The
Committee also reminds States parties of the importance of facilitating late registration of birth,
and ensuring that children who have not been registered have equal access to health care,
protection, education and other social services.
26.
Standard of living and social security. Young children are entitled to a standard of
living adequate for their physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development (art. 27). The
Committee notes with concern that even the most basic standard of living is not assured for
millions of young children, despite widespread recognition of the adverse consequences of
deprivation. Growing up in relative poverty undermines children’s well-being, social inclusion
and self-esteem and reduces opportunities for learning and development. Growing up in
conditions of absolute poverty has even more serious consequences, threatening children’s
survival and their health, as well as undermining the basic quality of life. States parties are urged
to implement systematic strategies to reduce poverty in early childhood as well as combat its
negative effects on children’s well-being. All possible means should be employed, including
“material assistance and support programmes” for children and families (art. 27.3), in order to
assure to young children a basic standard of living consistent with rights. Implementing
children’s right to benefit from social security, including social insurance, is an important
element of any strategy (art. 26).
27.
Health-care provision. States parties should ensure that all children have access to the
highest attainable standard of health care and nutrition during their early years, in order to reduce
infant mortality and enable children to enjoy a healthy start in life (art. 24). In particular:
(a)
States parties have a responsibility to ensure access to clean drinking water,
adequate sanitation, appropriate immunization, good nutrition and medical services, which are
essential for young children’s health, as is a stress-free environment. Malnutrition and disease
have long-term impacts on children’s physical health and development. They affect children’s
mental state, inhibiting learning and social participation and reducing prospects for realizing
their potential. The same applies to obesity and unhealthy lifestyles;
(b)
States parties have a responsibility to implement children’s right to health by
encouraging education in child health and development, including about the advantages of
breastfeeding, nutrition, hygiene and sanitation.2 Priority should also be given to the provision
of appropriate prenatal and post-natal health care for mothers and infants in order to foster
healthy family-child relationships, especially between a child and his or her mother (or other
primary caregiver) (art. 24.2). Young children are themselves able to contribute to ensuring their
personal health and encouraging healthy lifestyles among their peers, for example through
participation in appropriate, child-centred health education programmes;