As students of social work at Ramapo College of New Jersey, we are interested in protecting the rights of vulnerable and oppressed populations. Children fall into this category. We are writing this petition to encourage policymakers to send the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) to the U.S. Senate for ratification.

It is important to ratify the CRC because it will decrease child poverty rates and require paid maternity leave and pre and postnatal care. The CRC protects children against all forms of discrimination and punishment regardless of the status, activities, opinions, and beliefs of the child’s parents or legal guardians. It also protects against deprivation of legal dignity and establishes severe punishment for child maltreatment. The CRC guarantees children the right to health care, education, and freedom of expression.

The U.S. cannot pursue ratification unless the President submits the CRC to the Senate for advice and consent. Twenty-six years have elapsed since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the CRC. The U.S. is one of three countries, the other two being Somalia and South Sudan, that have not ratified the CRC. We ask that you sign our petition so we can submit it to New Jersey Senators, Cory Booker and Bob Menendez. We hope it will raise awareness and rally support for the CRC.