CHILD RIGHTS
WHAT ARE CHILD RIGHTS ?
Children’s rights are human rights that are accustomed explicitly to the children needs, wants and
overall well-being. They take into account their fragility, specificities and age-appropriate
requirements. Children’s rights aim to take into account the necessity of the development of a child.
ORGANISATIONS FOR CHILDREN
1. UNICEF
2. Save the Children
3. Defence for Children
4. KidsRights Foundation
5. Children’s Defense Fund
6. Plan International
7. ECPAT International
8. Child Poverty Action Group
9. Global Fund for Children
10. Right to Play
11. WE Charity
ARTICLE RELATING TO CHILD RIGHTS
1. The Right to and Identity(Article 7 AND 8)
Children are entitled to a name, legally registered with the government, and a nationality (to belong
to a country). Further, they must have the right to an identity, in the form of a public record. This
ensures national support, as well as access to social services.
2. The Right to Health (Article 23 AND 24)
Medical care, nutrition, protection from harmful habits (including drugs) and safe working
environments are covered under the right to health, and articles 23 and 24 on child rights in the
Indian constitution and elaborate on the access to special care and support for children with special
needs, as well as quality health care (including drinking water, nutrition, and a safe environment)
respectively.
3. The Right to Education (Article 28)
Right to free primary education is critical for helping children develop discipline, life skills while
finding a safe and healthy environment to nurture a child’s physiological development. This
includes freedom from violence, abuse or neglect.
4. The Right to a Family Life (Articles 8, 9, 10, 16, 20, 22 and 40)
If not family members, then children have the right to be looked after by caretakers. Children must
live with their parents until it is harmful to them. However, ‘family reunification’, i.e. permission
for family members living in different countries to travel to renew contact between family members
is critical. Under the ward of a caretaker or family, they must be provided privacy against attacks on
their way of life and personal history.
Children who do not have access to a family life, have a right to special care and must be looked
after properly, by people who respect their ethnic group, religion, culture and language. Refugee
children have a right to special protection and help. In the case of misdemeanours, children have the
right to seek legal counsel under a juvenile justice mechanism, with the fair and speedy resolution
of proceedings.
5. The Right to be protected from violence (Article 19 and 34)
Protection from violence extends even to family members, and children must not suffer ill-treatment
or sexual or physical violence. This includes use of violence as a means of discipline. All forms of
sexual exploitation and abuse are unacceptable, and this Article takes into view the sale of children,
child prostitution and child pornography.
6. The Right to an opinion (Article 12 and 13)
All children deserve the right to voice their opinions, free of criticism or contempt. In situations
where adults are actively deciding upon choices on behalf of children, the latter are entitled to have
their opinions taken into consideration. While children’s opinion may not be based on facts, it is
nonetheless an important source of insight for parents, and should be considered. However, this
depends on the child’s level of maturity and age. Children have the freedom of expression, as long
as they are not harming others with their opinions and knowledge.
7. The Right to be protected from armed conflict (Articles 38 and 39)
Armed conflict converts innocent children into refugees, prisoner, or participants in armed conflicts,
and these are all circumstances which contravene with the spirit of War or any armed struggle can
severely damage a child’s morale as well as perceptions of ethics, and this must be corrected in a
nurturing safe environment. While seeking to rehabilitate children affected by war, the government
must also ensure that children are not forced to participate in any armed struggle.
8. The Right to be protected from exploitation (Articles 19, 32, 34, 36 and 39)
As exploitation is usually achieved through violent means, protection from violence is critical for
freeing children from exploitation. This extends to abuse, negligence and violence by parents, even
if it is justified as an instrument of achieving discipline at home. Further, children cannot be made
to work in difficult or dangerous conditions. Children can only volunteer to work doing safe chores
that do not compromise their health, or access to education or play. Sexual exploitation, another
dimension of exploitation, is also prohibited, as an activity that takes advantage of them. Survivors
of neglect, abuse and exploitation must receive special help to enable recovery and reintegration
into society. Children also cannot be punished cruelly, even if it is under the ambit of the justice
system. Death or life sentences, as well as sentences with adult prisoners, are not permitted.
STATUS OF CHILDREN PROTECTION IN INDIA
With the change in the world, the status of child’s education, health, and nutrition has changed a lot.
However, the status of Child development in india has not significantly increased. India ranked 112
on the Child Development Index in the past decade. Despite strict laws, India constantly witnesses
different types of Child Rights violations. This includes violating the right to education, rights
against exploitation, right to food, and more. Though the Constitution of India commits to a safe
and healthy environment for children, India is lacking in this segment.
SCHEMES FOR CHILD PROTECTION
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme which provides
a package of six services to children below 6 years and pregnant and lactating mothers which inter-
alia includes supplementary nutrition.
· Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) was introduced in 2009-10 with the aim to
contribute to the improvement in the well being of children in difficult circumstances, as well as the
reduction of vulnerabilities to situations that lead to abuse, neglect, exploitation, abandonment and
separation of children from their families.
· Scheme for Welfare of Working Children in Need of Care and Protection provides
opportunities including non-formal education, vocational training, etc. to working children to
facilitate their entry / re-entry into mainstream education.
· Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)-SABLA aims at
an all-round development of adolescent girls (AGs) of 11-18 years by making them self reliant by
facilitating access to learning, health and nutrition through various interventions such as health,
education, vocational training etc. Such empowerment also addresses the issue of Child Marriage.
· Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) is a Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme
for pregnant and lactating women which was introduced in October, 2010 for improved health and
nutrition to pregnant and nursing mothers.
· Trafficking: “Ujjawala” – is a Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of Trafficking and
Rescue, Rehabilitation, Re-integration and Repatriation of Victims of Trafficking for Commercial
Sexual Exploitation.
· Rehabilitation of Child Labour : National Child Labour Project (NCLP) is a Scheme with
the objective to withdraw children working in hazardous occupations and processes, and
mainstream them into formal education system. All children rescued/withdrawn in the age group of
9-14 years are enrolled in the NCLP Special Training Centres, where they are provided with bridge
education, vocational training, mid-day meal, stipend, health care, etc. before being mainstreamed
into formal education system.
Several Implementations in Favor of Child:
1. Enactment of Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act
2. The Juvenile Justice system
3. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act
4. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, {POCSO}
5. National Policy for Children
