To mark the International Child Rights Week, the stakeholders working for the protection of child rights pledged to work for every child and spoke about the need for the safety, security, education, nutrition and laws meant children’s protection.
The consultative meet titled ‘Rights of Children to create a better tomorrow’ organised in collaboration of Save the Children and Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS) on Friday witnessed the participation of experts from different fields covering academicians, civil society members, government representatives etc.
While most of the members highlighted on creating awareness on different facets of child rights preliminarily on legal aspects that covers POSCO Act, Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act, some of them termed the growing menace against children as lack of sheer political will and negligence of affluent class towards the deprived.
Showing concern on the reports presented by different NGOs and other independent agencies, Jharkhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (JSCPCR), Chairperson, Aarti Kujur, who was present as the Chief Guest on the occasion, urged to the youths to be the driving force behind change considering for better tomorrow.
“Children undoubtedly are one of the vulnerable parts of the society, until and unless kids are given their rights, it is difficult to imagine a civilized society. Besides parents who must guide children about different legal aspects while openly discussing about the ‘Good touch, bad touch’, youths too here must come forward. Government agencies and NGOs are doing their bit to improve the vulnerable position of kids, however difference cannot be created without each other’s support,” Kujur said.
Emphasising on the reports presented by different organizations on child and sexual abuse, Associate Professor, XISS, Dr. Anant Sinha said, “More than 50 per cent kids in India at some stage had witnessed sexual assault. According to world vision report, maximum cases of sexual abuse go unreported. While the national data suggests that in 38.8 per cent cases abuser is either a family member or a neighbour. Also, alone in 2015, under POSCO Act, 14,000 cases were registered. Several findings also hint that male kids are more vulnerable to sexual abuse.”
While sharing his views on children and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme of the companies, Professor, XISS, Dr. KK Bhagat said, “Much of the abuse is done by the corporate houses on different fronts. India registers high percentage of unorganized labourers. The globalization has assured profits but has failed miserably to touch upon pivotal issues. Elimination of child labours, descent wage including zero tolerance for keeping under age kids at work places has yet not been ensured by us.”
Taking up few other topics, experts also highlighted on the issues like nutrition and child survival, NGOs collaboration with government agencies including contribution of schools in promoting child rights among all while expanding its base.