Subgroups form an integral part of the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The groups are formed by members of the NGO Group and enable a platform for discussion, debate as well as joint action.
The groups work on particular themes and issues that relate to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Their aim is to advance children's rights within the United Nations system and other international fora.
These subgroups exist:
- Armed conflict and displacement. Works for the rights of children affected by armed conflict and displacement.
- Child labour. Promotes the effective implementation of international conventions that relate to child labour. Also facilitates information exchange between Non-Governmental Organisations, the United Nations and the International Labour Organisation.
- Children and violence. Facilitates NGO participation in the Global Study on Violence Against Children, which the UN General Assembly requested of the Secretary-General in November 2001.
- Children's right to health. This group works to ensure that the child's right to health is consistently and coherently represented in the UN and state party reporting processes linked to the Convention of the Rights of the Child
- Human Rights Council . The subgroup aims to ensure that this important international human rights mechanism addresses the specific rights and situations of children worldwide in its regular work and sessions of the Human Rights Council. By advocating for the inclusion of its concerns into the Council's work, the NGO community can further ensure better support and coherence between international politics and local realities affecting the realisation of children's rights.
- Education, literacy and media. Places particular importance to Articles 17, 28 and 29 of the CRC. Aims to contribute to the international debate and action, in favour of children's right to education and appropriate information.
- Juvenile justice. Since 1995 this group has focused attention on, and brought action to, juvenile justice issues such as the age of criminal responsibility, improved protection systems for children, as well as strenghten UN resolutions in favour of juvenile justice.
- National child rights coalitions. This is a focal point within the NGO Group that supports the creation and sustains national child rights coalitions around the world. The group links NGOs at the national and international level, and relevant UN-mechanisms.
- Sexual exploitation. Promotes the protection of children from sexual exploitation, abuse and violence as outlined in Article 34 of the CRC. Through various UN mechanisms and in close collaboration with other special interests groups, the group plays an active role in the follow-up to the Yokohama Congress and the UN Special Session on Children.
- Children
without parental care. The Working Group's main aim is to promote
and contribute to drawing up international standards for the protection of children
without parental care, and to secure their adoption by the UN General Assembly.