BES Islands Caribbean

Children in their Power

The Dutch government, together with the islands, is responsible for compliance with children's rights. On the islands, UNICEF monitors the situation of children, gives advice and conducts research. We also provide projects at the request of the Caribbean governments. Such as through the children's rights program 'Children in their Power', which UNICEF carries out with the islands and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations on themes such as poverty, growing up positively and youth participation. So as to ensure together that all children, also on the Dutch Caribbean, can grow up in a safe and stimulating environment and can develop fully.

Children's Rights

   To safeguard children's rights, UNICEF supports the Dutch government and the special municipalities of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba.

•  The Children's Rights Taskforce in which all six Dutch Caribbean islands participate is a good example of this. The goal of this TaskForce is to realize a safe and stimulating living environment for children. In doing so, the Task Force is following up on the recommendations of the UN Children's Rights Committee.
• St. Eustatius is part of the Child Friendly Cities program, in which St. Eustatius together with other municipalities and UNICEF work to make their island even more child-friendly. Saba will also join in 2024.
• To gain insight into the status of family relationships, domestic violence and child abuse in the Dutch Caribbean, UNICEF Netherlands, together with Leiden University and University of Curaçao conducted research in 2023. 
• Earlier, UNICEF did an analysis of the child rights situation in the Caribbean islands (2019). See also the list of recommendations aimed at the government in the Dutch and English factsheets.
• The youth councils on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba were co-founded by UNICEF to make children's voices heard. Recently on Saba, youth engaged in discussions with Princess Beatrix.