Linking children’s and women’s rights: An early childhood perspective

Bernard P.Y. Combes argues that early childhood programmes have a direct impact on children, women, parents and families. Such programmes recognize that ensuring women's rights is basic to ensuring children's rights as they seek to train caregivers and trainers (a majority of whom are women) in child development and education; to provide advocacy for children's rights, in particular equality of opportunities and chances for young girls; and to inform and help parents to take better care of their children. This article seeks to show that actions towards young children presuppose actions with and for women, and that early childhood can provide a link between children's and women's rights. © 2001 The Society for International Development.