Tunisia tops Maghreb countries in global children’s rights index

Tunisia was named the top-ranking Maghreb country in the 2023 global children’s rights index created by the KidsRights Foundation. Morocco came in second among Maghreb nations.

The Netherlands-based KidsRights Foundation, in cooperation with Erasmus University Rotterdam, has been publishing what they call the first and only index to track countries’ adherence to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

The legally binding document signed by 196 countries states children have the right to an education, access to healthcare, and to be safe from violence, among other things.

Children today face considerable hardship in many parts of the world due to what the organization calls a “polycrisis”.

“Escalation of armed conflicts, including in Ukraine, Gaza, Israel, and Sudan, is undermining decades of progress made towards protecting and providing for children,” said Marc Dullaert, founder of the KidsRights Foundation, in a press release.

This year’s index included an assessment of climate change mitigation efforts undertaken by the countries from the perspective that climate change hinders the realization of children’s rights.

Including the climate mitigation assessment, Tunisia came in 47^th among 178 nations. Morocco was at number 73. Topping the list was Denmark. Chad ranked at the bottom of the list.