Children’s Rights & the Transformative Role of Business in Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly marks a crucial milestone in the journey towards achieving the 2030 Agenda and the urgent need to put the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track. This requires that all stakeholders – including business – place children’s rights at the heart of their sustainability agenda.

“Companies have great power and influence when it comes to driving change; therefore, they must take responsibility and champion children’s rights,” says Katarina Mellström, Secretary General for Global Child Forum. “If not, we will never achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Business, children’s rights and the SDGs: a symbiotic relationship

The SDGs, consisting of 17 interconnected goals, outline a transformative agenda to address global challenges by 2030. Businesses play an integral role in this agenda, as they possess the resources, innovation, and reach to drive meaningful change.

Here are just some of the ways that businesses can contribute to the fulfillment of children’s rights and the attainment of the SDGs:

• No Poverty (Goal 1)

Companies can alleviate poverty, especially its impact on children, by providing decent employment opportunities, fair wages, and safe working conditions to help parents support their families. They can also invest in training and education programmes that enhance employability for parents and older children. By implementing community-focused initiatives that address basic needs like healthcare, education, and access to clean water, they can also contribute to Goal 1.

• Zero Hunger  (Goal 2)

We live in a world where nearly 378 million children suffer from malnutrition, and 38 million children under age 5 are overweight (as reported by UNICEF). A staggering 340 million children under 5 suffer from hidden hunger, meaning their diet lacks essential vitamins and nutrients. Companies can develop and market nutritious food products for children while ensuring responsible advertising; partner with local communities to empower them to produce sustainable, nutritious food, and advocate for policies that prioritise food security and reduce child hunger through targeted government actions.

• Good Health and Well-being (Goal 3):

Businesses can help prevent disease and improve child health by promoting healthcare access and hygiene education. Partnerships with health organisations can lead to innovative child nutrition and healthcare services solutions.

• Quality Education (Goal 4):

Businesses can invest in education by supporting schools, providing learning resources, and facilitating training programmes. Initiatives that enhance digital literacy and provide equitable access to education contribute to a better future for all children.

• Gender Equality (Goal 5):

Companies can foster a culture of equality by promoting gender diversity within their workforce and ensuring that children, regardless of their gender, have equal opportunities to thrive.

• Decent Work (Goal 8 – specifically 8.7)

SDG 8.7 addresses the issue of child labour and modern slavery. SDG 8.7 holds significant importance for children’s rights, as it directly addresses the well-being and protection of children from exploitative labour practices.

• Reduced Inequality (Goal  10):

Businesses can address socioeconomic disparities by implementing fair labour practices, promoting inclusivity in hiring, and supporting community development initiatives that uplift vulnerable children and families.

• Climate Change (Goal 13):

Companies can address climate change by reducing emissions, adopting sustainable practices, and supporting climate-friendly policies. This benefits children by safeguarding their health, education, and future opportunities, as climate change poses direct risks to their well-being, including health, education, and economic stability.

•  Partnerships for the Goals (Goal 17):

Collaboration is pivotal in achieving the SDGs. Businesses can work alongside governments, NGOs, and communities, to maximise their impact and create sustainable change.

The ethical imperative: children’s rights as business responsibility

Integrating children’s rights into business practices is not just an ethical choice, but a strategic one. Companies prioritising children’s well-being and rights are better positioned to build resilient societies, enhance brand reputation, and create long-term value for stakeholders.

Many companies already prioritise the SDGs and children’s rights, but most fail to see the connection between their operations and their impact on children. Global Child Forum works to provide companies with the information and data they need to understand – and act – on this connection.

Global Child Forum’s benchmark

In partnership with Boston Consulting Group, Global Child Forum compiles children’s rights data on some of the world’s most influential companies.  The companies we benchmark are part of the World Benchmarking Alliance’s SDG2000 list, which highlights the 2,000 most impactful companies worldwide that significantly influence our collective future.

We assess how these companies address children’s rights in their public reporting. Since 2013, we’ve benchmarked nearly 3,000 of the world’s largest companies. This year, Global Child Forum is benchmarking 1,107 companies across eight sectors, and will launch the report at the end of October.

Global Child Forum’s benchmarks foster a competitive drive towards excellence, encouraging leaders to go above and beyond while ensuring accountability for those lagging behind. This valuable information is accessible to all, free of charge.

Children’s rights and the SDGs are intertwined threads in the tapestry of sustainable development. Businesses wield significant influence in shaping the future, and their active engagement in promoting children’s rights aligns with the broader pursuit of the SDGs.

By fostering an environment where children can flourish, companies and investors pave the way for a world where every child’s potential is realised, creating a legacy of positive change that transcends generations.

Image credit (top): nateejindakum via stock.adobe.com