The intentional or unintentional failure of a caregiver – individual, community, or institution (including the State) with clear responsibility by custom or law for the well-being of the child – to: (a) protect a child from actual or potential harm to the child’s safety, well-being, dignity, and development or (b) to fulfil that child’s rights to survival, development, and well-being when they have the capacity, ability and resources to do so. Harm may be visible or invisible. An act may be categorised as neglectful whether or not the caregiver intends to harm the child.

The principle that unfair distinctions should not be made between children, people or communities on any grounds, including age, sex, gender, race, colour, ethnicity, national or social origin, sexual orientation, HIV status, language, civil documentation, religion, disability, health status, political or other opinion, or other status. It does not mean that everyone should be treated in the same way, but is about equality of access and outcomes, requiring different types of assistance and support based on actual needs and capacities. See Principle 2.