Because every girl and boy is born free and equal in dignity and rights, all forms of discrimination and exclusion against children must end. There is never a good reason for denying a child freedom and opportunity. Yet throughout the world, children face discrimination because of the color of their skin, because of their gender, or because of the traditions their parents passed onto them. Because of discrimination, these children are left out and unable to live up to their potential.
Discrimination takes many forms.
In some cases, it is intolerance and hatred, even violence. In other cases, it is more subtle. When a girl is made to feel inferior in school, or when she is kept out of school to take care of the house only because she is a girl, that is discrimination. When no effort is made to allow disabled children equal access to opportunity, that too is discrimination. Whenever a child, anywhere, is made to feel that he or she is inferior to other children, that is discrimination.