Child rights mainstreaming is multi-dimensional and multi-level in its approach, involving many types of partners and stakeholders, including children themselves.
The causes that prevent children from enjoying their rights are complex, multiple, interdependent and inter-related. Legislative, social, cultural, political, economic and institutional factors all contribute to child rights violations and rights being unfulfilled at various levels in society. At the same time child rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent; there is no hierarchy of rights, and duty bearers cannot promote the fulfilment of one right at the expense of other rights because all rights have equal claim. Child rights mainstreaming entails understanding the implications of an initiative on various child rights and addressing the causes of non-fulfilment at all levels, with a particular emphasis on root or structural causes of non-fulfilment which can only be addressed over the long-term.
For this reason, child rights mainstreaming must be holistic, multi-dimensional and multi-level in its approach, understanding and response.