Why every child’s voice matters: The importance of child participation

Imagine having something important to say, but not always having a space where someone will listen. For children, being heard can shape how they see themselves, the choices they see as possible, and the spaces they grow up in. Yet, decisions about children’s lives are often made without their perspectives being part of the conversation.

Child participation begins with recognising that children have views, experiences and ideas worth listening to. When given the space to express them, children can contribute in ways that can shape their own lives and the communities around them.

Let’s explore why children’s voices matter, and what it takes to create spaces where they can be heard.

What is child participation

Child participation is about creating meaningful opportunities for children to express their views and have those views considered in decisions that affect them. It can happen in everyday spaces, from family conversations and schools to community groups and local forums.

It does not mean that children make every decision themselves. Rather, it means recognising that their experiences and perspectives have value, and giving them an appropriate opportunity to contribute.

What does participation mean for children themselves?

Being heard can also shape how children see their own ideas and abilities. When adults listen respectfully, children begin to understand that their experiences matter and that they can contribute to the spaces around them. Let’s understand how children’s voices create a difference in their lives:

• Building confidence to speak up: Opportunities to share ideas, ask questions and express concerns can help children become more comfortable communicating their thoughts. Over time, these experiences can help them find their voice and express themselves with greater confidence.
• Learning to listen, discuss and decide: Participation is also about listening to others. Through group discussions and shared decisions, children can learn to consider different perspectives, explain their ideas and take responsibility for their contributions.

Where can children have a say?

Child participation can begin in the everyday spaces where children learn, live and interact. Families, schools and communities can create opportunities for children to express their views on decisions and issues that may create barriers in their everyday lives. Let’s find out the ways children can participate:

• At home: Parents can involve children in age-appropriate decisions and give them space to explain their views. For girls, this can include having a say in decisions about their education, household responsibilities, time outside the home and the choices they want to make as they grow.
• In schools: Classroom discussions, student groups, feedback sessions and child-led initiatives can give children opportunities to share their experiences and ideas. Girls can speak about issues that hinders their participation in school, such as access to toilets and menstrual hygiene facilities, safety, sports and equal opportunities to learn.
• In communities: Children can contribute their perspectives on issues such as safe play spaces, sanitation, education and access to public spaces. For girls, sharing their experiences of safety, movement and participation can help communities understand the barriers that may restrict where they go and how they take part.

Challenges to child participation

Not every child has the same opportunity to speak or be heard. Age, gender, poverty, disability, discrimination, language and social attitudes can all influence whose voices are given space.

Sometimes, adults may assume that children are too young to understand important issues. Children may also hold back because they fear being criticised or feel that their views will not change anything. Some may not yet have the confidence or vocabulary to identify what they are experiencing or put their thoughts into words. Others may not know that they have the right to express their views or that their opinions deserve to be heard.

Creating opportunities to participate, therefore, is only the first step. Children need safe spaces, encouragement and support to understand their rights, express their views and know that they will be listened to with respect.

What is CRY UK doing to strengthen children’s voices?

At CRY, we believe child participation is one of the key pillars in helping children recognise their rights, find the confidence to express their views and come together to speak for change.

• Building agencies of children and adolescents: CRY forms Children’s Collectives and Adolescent Collectives to help children understand their rights and the importance of education. These groups also become peer support systems, where children listen to one another, lend their voices to those who may find it harder to speak and come together around concerns shared by the group.
• Creating space to find and express their voice: Many of the children CRY works with grow up in circumstances they did not choose. Life Skills sessions conducted by CRY UK’s project staff give them a safe space to develop a sense of identity and belonging, understand their own thoughts and gradually build the confidence to express themselves with friends, in groups and in wider community spaces.
• Turning voices into collective action: Finding their voice is only the beginning. When children recognise that a right is not being fulfilled or that something around them needs to change, CRY supports them to come together and seek solutions. This can include petitions and collective representations to address issues such as school infrastructure, school upgrades, safer roads and transport, play spaces and access to menstrual hygiene facilities.

Conclusion

A community that listens to its children makes space for their experiences, ideas and aspirations. Support CRY UK in creating spaces where children can find their voices, come together and participate in building a more equitable and sustainable future.