The Child: Cross-cutting themes

This section of The CBA Child Rights Toolkit provides essential information that can apply to the child across all areas of law and your practice. The first five themes will almost always apply as they reflect the Convention on the Rights of the Child's guiding principles. Additional themes will depend on the child or group of children your work affects and the subject matter. These themes are not exhaustive. For example, additional themes may include children dealing with sexual orientation or gender identification issues, or children with a disability. Considering the child’s cross-cutting themes will help you implement the child’s rights meaningfully.

In this section:

The Charter and constitutional protection for children in Canada

Life, survival and development

Best interests of the child

Legal representation of children

Child participation

Competence, capacity and consent

Privacy

Indigenous children

Girl child

Freedom from all forms of violence

NEW! Sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression