World Children’s Day
Why children deserve to understand the policies that affect them
Although policy documents are often written for government officials, development workers, and other adult stakeholders, children are also key stakeholders. The policies made about their education, safety, health, and participation shape their daily lives. That is why it is important to translate these policies into language, formats, and stories that children themselves can understand and relate to.
Translating policy for children is not just about using simpler words. It is about finding ways to make ideas meaningful across different ages, languages, and realities. Many children in Africa live in multilingual communities, grow up hearing oral stories rather than reading documents, or may not yet be in school. For them, a “translation” could take the form of a radio drama, a song, a cartoon, or a community storytelling session. What matters is that they grasp the main idea, that policies are promises meant to protect and empower them.
True communication with children also begins with listening. Adults often assume they know what children can or cannot understand. However, children bring their own knowledge, shaped by their homes, schools, and communities. Involving them in reviewing or testing translations helps ensure that the messages are clear and respectful. When children are part of the process, they not only understand the policy better but also feel valued as participants in decisions that affect them.
Cultural and local context matter too. Every community has its own ways of teaching values, responsibility, and rights. Translating policy for children should build on these traditions rather than replace them. For instance, an elder explaining a child protection law through a familiar proverb can make it more relatable than a printed leaflet. This approach respects both formal policy and local wisdom, creating a bridge between them.
Accessibility is another part of inclusion. Not all children can read printed text. Some live with visual or hearing impairments; others speak languages that lack written forms. Using pictures, sign language, audio versions, and visual storytelling helps ensure that no child is left out. Translation, in this sense, is not just about words but about finding many paths to understanding.
Finally, translating policy for children should not stop at communication. Understanding a policy should lead to empowerment, giving children the confidence to ask questions, share opinions, and work with adults to find solutions. Such empowerment requires a supportive environment in which parents, teachers, and community leaders are informed and open to dialogue.
It is crucial to understand that clearly explained, locally grounded policies create stronger communities. They not only help children see that rules and laws are not distant ideas but part of their lives. When children understand their rights and responsibilities in their own language and context, policy becomes more than paperwork. It becomes a living promise between generations.
