Report to Parliament by the Ombudsman for Children 2022

Abstract

The Report to Parliament provides the Parliament with an overview on the position of children and realisation of their rights in Finland in 2018 – 2021. The aim of the Report is to support the Parliament in taking the rights of the child into consideration in decision-making to promote good child, youth and family policy based on the rights of the child. The rights of children were challenged during the period of observation by phenomena such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and declining birth rates. Numerous extensive reforms have been and will be carried out in our society, and the rights of children have been taken into conside¬ration to a varying degree when preparing and implementing those reforms. Acknowledging of children’s rights has progressed in small steps and requires constant reminders. At the same time, children and young people want to participate and make an impact on not only their own lives but also decisions made in society as a whole.