OVER the past six weeks, we’ve been asking Malaysian teenagers aged 13-17 to speak up for child rights by taking part in Unicef Malaysia’s Picture My Rights campaign/photography competition.

Today, we’re proud to say we’ve received over 250 photo pledges from kids all across the country, each photo a representation of how our kids feel about their rights – or lack thereof.

The campaign was organised by Unicef Malaysia in collaboration with our BRATs young journalist programme to promote child rights issues and discussions about it, especially among teenagers.

So far, the campaign seems to have worked beautifully. Unicef representative to Malaysia Wivina Belmonte said the photos submitted by the teenagers are incredibly insightful and inspiring.

“It’s fascinating to see the world through the eyes of these young photographers,” she said. “These photographs contain powerful messages because they’re raw and heartfelt. With a click of a camera, they’ve captured moments and emotions that represent something really deep and personal. We’re very pleased with the quality and quantity of photos we’ve received,” said Belmonte.

Giving young Malaysians this opportunity to express their thoughts on their rights is particularly important now, said Belmonte, as the world will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) this year.

The CRC is a human rights treaty which sets out all the rights a child should have, such as their right to dignity, survival, development, safety and participation (the five themes of the Picture My Rights competition). It has been adopted by over 190 countries, including Malaysia.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean those rights are necessarily respected in those countries. Belmonte said: “It is important for young people to realise what child rights mean, what they can do about it and how they can incorporate that in their lives.”

If you wanna do your part to increase the awareness and understanding of child rights in Malaysia, have a look at the photos on these pages, and help us share them on social media! All you have to do is go to picturemyrights.unicef.my, where you can browse through all the photo pledges.

BRATs is the official media partner for Picture My Rights. To find out more about the campaign/contest, go to picturemyrights.unicef.my.

THE ENTRIES
Here are some of the entries for the Picture My Rights contest, which is based on the five areas in child rights – development, dignity, participation, safely and survival.

Development
Children have a right to learn, and not just in school, but also through play and leisure, cultural activities and access to resources like books.

Stride to Succeed by James Duncan Tupling

Outdoor Learning by Kim Hui Yu

Kids and Nature by Ahmad Nabil Imran Rosman

Congratulations by Ain Natasha Abdul Malik

Dignity
Every child has the right to be treated with respect – regardless of his/her gender, race, religion or nationality.

An Eye casino online on the Community by Muhammad Arif Fitri Azizan

Nightmares by James Duncan Tupling

To Cover or Not to Cover… by Muhammad Arif Fitri Azizan

Sky Is the Limit by Muhammad Akif Rabbani Ab Rashid

Participation
Children have a right to be active members of the community, express their opinions, join associations and have a name and nationality.

Simple Game of Cards by James Duncan Tupling

An Everlasting Friend by Lo Ju Lene

I Have A Voice by Rachel Leong Shern Mae

Youth, Responsibility on Environment Preservation by Jesreena Kaur Keshminder Singh

Safety
Every child has a right to a life free of violence, bullying, neglect or any form of abuse.

“Please, please, just make it stop.” by Loh Rachel

Who/what is on the other side of the screen? by Laverne Koon Lee Ann

Child safety? Mom knows best! by Muhammad Arif Fitri Azizan

Stop Bullying by Jonathon Marvyn Abdon

Survival
Children have a right to grow up in a clean, safe and healthy environtment!

The Unbearable Burden of Poverty by Muhammad Arif Fitri Azizan

A Struggle of Life by Christopher Ang Yew Shuen

Rawatan Kesihatan by Siti Nur Balqis Abdullah

Birthdays – our right to survival by Chan Le Xuan

The photos collected during the Picture My Rights campaign will be displayed at a public exhibition in The School, Petaling Jaya from Oct 26 to Dec 31. Drop by and be inspired to do your part for child rights!

Five of the teen photographers who submitted the best photos at the exhibition will also win a special prize – a Samsung digital camera, and a very exclusive five-day photography workshop with renowed humanitarian photographer Giacomo Pirozzi. How cool is that?

The five winning photos will be announced on Oct 27.

Go to picturemyrights.unicef.my for the results!