Growing up, I've always wondered if, as a teenager, my rights in my country are the same all around the world. For any teenager who shares my curiosity, here's a look into national laws on this topic, from 5 different countries.

The 5 countries under scrutiny are Romania, Finland, France, Sweden and Norway. 3 laws from each country are presented, that contain the same essential ideas about the rights of children and adolescents.

Romania:

Law no. 272/2004: "The protection and promotion of children's rights" This law is about ensuring the protection against violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. It also ensures the right to education, health and a healthy family environment.

Labor code: This regulates any aspect related to the employment of teenagers, like the appropriate age or a maximum of working hours.

Law no.61/ 1993: about state child allowances. This law guarantees state allowances to children.

Sweden:

Education act (2010:800) This law guarantees the right to education for all children and teenagers.

Children and Parents code (2018/1195): This code sets the outlines of the rights and responsibilities for both children and parents.

Employment Protection act (1982:80) This act sets limits for the employment of teenagers, including minimum age requirements or safety conditions.

France:

Education code (Code de l'éducation) This code protects the right to education for children. In this way, every child is entitled to a proper education.

Child protection code (Code de l'action sociale et des familles) This code establishes the rights and protection of children and teenagers in France.

Labor code (Code du travail) This code sets regulations about the employment of adolescents and their well-being.

Finland:

Basic education act (628/2007) This act guarantees the right to education for children and teenagers all around Finland, providing every child with the minimum knowledge.

Child welfare act (417/2007) This act protects the rights and well-being of children, ensuring every child has a roof over their heads.

Employment contract act (55/2001) This act sets regulations for the employment of teenagers in the country, including minimum age and working hours.

Norway:

Education act (Opplæringsloven): This act guarantees the right to education for children in Norway,

 Child welfare act (Barnevernloven): This act's role is to protect the rights and the well-being of children. The purpose is to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation,

Work environment act (Arbeidsmiljøloven): This act sets conditions for young workers to ensure their safety, including a minimum age and working hours.

Upon analysing the aforementioned rights, some similarities become evident, the difference lying in the focuses and visons which might differ slightly.

Similarities: 

All countries have laws in other to protect not just the children, but also their rights.

All countries set regulations for the employment of teenagers.

All countries focus on children's education.

Fortunately, children's rights are enforced through the actions of activists who support them publicly. Some of the most famous are the ones listed below:

Malala Yousafzai - Pakistani activist who gained international recognition for fighting to support girls' rights. She survived a targeted assassination, but she continues to fight for girls' access to education.

Kailash Satyarthi - an Indian children's rights activist, who has been the leading voice in the fight against child labor. In 2014 he won the Nobel Prize for Peace.

Marian Wright Edelman- an American activist who founded the Children's Defense Fund, a non-profit organization, that ensures all children have access to healthcare, education, and a safe environment.

Protecting the rights of children is essential for building a fair society. This means making sure that they are safe, healthy, and educated. By following these remarkable people and respecting these regulations, we help to create a better future for everyone.