Equality

According to article 2 of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (No discrimination), the States parties to the present Covenant shall respect and guarantee the rights described in the Covenant for every child under their jurisdiction without discrimination of any kind, regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other belief, national, ethnic or social origin, wealth, disability, birth or other circumstance of the child or his or her parent or legal guardian. Aruba has also ratified this Covenant, which means that it shall be respected and guaranteed in Aruba also.

Besides that, Aruba has also committed to work on the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). The SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) are seventeen goals to make the world a better place by 2030. The SDGs have been agreed by the countries that are members of the United Nations (UN), including Aruba. The goals were based on global input from organizations and individuals.

There are 169 targets behind the seventeen goals. These make them even more concrete. One of the seventeen goals is goal number 10, Reduce Inequality within and among countries. Goal number 10 has different targets. One of the targets is target 10.2. According to target 10.2 , by 2030, countries must empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all residents, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. The vulnerable groups consist mostly of the older persons, persons with disabilities, children, women and migrants and refugees.

The member countries, and also Aruba, were busy working on different targets of this goal. Then in 2020 the Pandemic of COVID-19 struck the world. The Pandemic of COVID-19 is making inequality worse, also in Aruba. It is hitting the most vulnerable people hardest, and those same groups are often experiencing increased discrimination.

Equal rights, SDG’s and Children’s rights are instruments to stimulate equality. It is important to remember that together we are the world. You are may be in your country today, but maybe you will live in someone else’s country in the future, for example due to study or medical reasons. How would you like to be treated?

Equality reduces discrimination, stimulates empathy for each other, provides justice, gives more opportunities and encourages discussion in a respectful manner.