Child Rights In India

A presentation by Mr. Nandeesh Y D, Junior Research Fellow, DOS in social work, Karnatak University, Dharwad

Email Id: ydnandeesh@gmail.com

Introduction:Children are the future of a country.But as we all know that the children are the

most vulnerable.Every child has right to lead a decent lifeIn India 440 million are children(40%)But status of the children in India is not wellIt is important to consider their rights and

value their dignityConstitutional provisions, laws, policies and

programmes addressing them.

‘Child’ And ‘Child Rights’?According to UNCRC - a

child is any human being below the age of eighteen years

Child rights are specialized human rights that apply to all human beings below the age of 18.

Types of Rights(UNCRC):

Survival

RightsDevelopment Rights

Protection Rights

Participation Rights

UN Convention includes four articles that are given special emphasis(General principles)

Non-discrimination The best interests of the child The right to survival and development The views of the child 

Status of Children In IndiaOver one billion children have been denied

their childhood worldwide(UNICEF Report) About 63 per cent of children in India go

without food and 53 per cent suffer from chronic malnutrition

27 million are severely underweight and 33 million have never been to school

National Dropout Rate at the Elementary Level is over 40% (DISE, 2011-12)

Around 25 to 30 million children in India spend their lives on the streets in a poisonous environment.

Contd..6.6 million children having a damaged brain

from iodine deficiencyThe National Family Health Survey has

revealed that over 70 per cent of the children in many states suffer from iron deficiency

11.8% children in India are engaged in some form of child labour

Nearly 45% girls get married before the age of eighteen years

Only 54% children received full immunization (DLHS-III, 2007-08)

Constitutional Provisions:Fundamental Rights : Articles such as 14,

15(3), 21, 21(a) 23 & 24.

Directive Principles of State Policies: Articles such as 39(e), 45, 46 and 51

Legislations related to children:The Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 The Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act (ITPA),

1956 The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act,

1986 The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic

Techniques Act 1994 The Juvenile Justice Act 2000 and Amendment Act –

2006 The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education

Act 2009 (RTE Act).Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act,

2012

National Policies related to Chldren:The National Policy for Children, 2013 National Policy for Children, 1974 National Policy on Education, 1986 National Policy on Child Labour, 1987 National Nutrition Policy, 1993 National Health Policy, 2002 National Charter for Children, 2003 National Plan of Action, 2005

Programmes/ Schemes related to children:Integrated ChildDevelopment Services (ICDS),

1975Integrated programme for Street Children,

1993Pulse Polio Immunization Programme, 1995Midday Meal Scheme, 1995Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, 2001The National Rural Health Mission, 2005Creche Scheme for the children of working

mothers, 2006 

Child budgeting in India: An unfair deal

There has been a sharp decline in child welfare budget from 4.52% in 2014-15 to 3.26% in 2015-16 Union budget.

The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid-Day Meal scheme have taken cuts - by 20.74% and 30.11% respectively

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme has been hit by a 54.19% cut.(Union Budget 2015-16)

Violence against children:

In the year 2013 a jump of 138% of crime cases were recorded.

Reasons???Decline in social controlChild pornographyDecline in moral and ethical valuesDecline in social responsibility

Children’s Rights Worldwide and in India 2015

Findings and suggestions :Indian children are still in difficult situations. Conducive environment can be created with efforts from every stake holder

Budget allocations for children is continuously declining and it should be increased.

Awareness programs can be conducted at all levels

Efforts needed to inculcate ethical valuesEffective implementation is the need of the

hour.

Conclusion:A visible shift from an approach of charity

to that of rendering justice to children by guaranteeing their rights.

an effective implementation, ground swell of support, fair environment.

alarming concern as children are being misused.

our social responsibility to take care of the children & to protect their rights.

If all suggestions taken seriously, India would be a safer place for the children.

References:Encyclopaedia of Social Work in India, Vol -1, Ministry of Welfare,

Govt of India.INDIA A Reference Annual (2014), Publications Division, Ministry of

Information and Broadcsting, Govt of India.P.M Bakshi (2011)The Constitution of India, Universal Law

Publishing co., New Delhi.Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation - MoSPI, 2012Yojana(2012), A development monthly, Issues Concernging Children.Samajakaryada Hejjegalu (2012) , Social work - Foot Print.ISSN

No:2230 8830The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child © United Nations,

June 2010.UNICEF, (2006) Violence Against Children, United Nations Secretary

– General’s Studychildlineindia.org.in/child-protection-child-rights-india.htm http://www.unicef.org/india/ www.childrensrights