why such a focus? For one thing, November 2019 marks 30 years since the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was signed in 1989. It is the most widely ratified international human rights treaty, which reminds the world that children are holders of rights, and adults – in particular governments – are responsible for upholding these rights.
Second, and more importantly, we feel that this moment marks a crossroads for children’s rights in Palestine. The considerable advances realized in the past decades, notably the near-universal coverage in immunization and very high enrolment rates in primary education – including for girls – are particularly commendable in the midst of multiple obstacles that result from continued occupation, sporadic armed conflict, chronic instability, and shortage of resources. The commitment of Palestinian families, communities, and authorities to the rights of children is manifested every day in investment decisions made by the Palestinian Authority as well as the dedication of professionals in health, education, social work, and other fields.

At the same time, much remains to be done. Too many children still do not enjoy their full rights or get a fair chance to realize their potential. This may be because they were born with a disability, live in a hard-to-reach area, are affected by movement restrictions or other conflict-related violations, or are exposed to violence at home, at school, or in the streets. Of urgent concern also is the fact that the advances made thus far are under threat because of fiscal limitations, continued occupation-related violence and other restrictions, and the lack of investments in sustainable systems, in particular in the Gaza Strip due to the division and blockade.
The articles in this collection aim to contribute to the ongoing collective reflection on how to safeguard and promote rights @ForEveryChild in the unique and challenging context of Palestine. As we look forward to the presentation of the State of Palestine’s first State Party report to the Convention on the Rights of the Child in January 2020, we invite all stakeholders to explore innovative ways to do more and better, for each and every girl and boy.