Why do children's participation rights matter? Provision, protection and participation are equally important themes created in the UNCRC. Participation must be considered for all children as this right enables them to be active agents making their own decisions based on previous lived experiences or having the capacity to understand that this decision will affect their future in a way. It does have developmental limitation as they must understand the consequences of actions, but this right is important to understand how children are feeling and how they want to live their life.
How does the inclusion of children's participation in the UNCRC implicate state parties that have ratified the treaty? All parties that signed and ratified the treaty are not responsible and required by law to provide and integrate these policies into practice to ensure every child is receiving the proper care. Policies must take into account that children deserve the opportunity to participate and are free to express their thoughts on matters that affect their lives.
What do children's participation rights have to do with citizenship and democratic processes that are inclusive and empowering? Democratic processes must understand that every child is considered a full citizen with rights. If their participation rights to be included on matters that affect them are denied, its another example of how children are not treated as fully human.