CHILD PROTECTION – CONTRIBUTION

Introduction

Around the world, far too many children are subject to violence, exploitation and abuse. Some are forced to work under harmful conditions. Others face violence or abuse in their homes, their schools, their communities or in institutional care. In some places children are targets for illegal recruitment by armed groups and armed forces or are forced to flee their homes due to conflict or natural disaster. And millions, especially girls, are subject to sexual violence and abuse as well as harmful traditional practices.

Considering the Child protection in India is the protection of children from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect. It is now three decades since the landmark Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted. Indian laws for Child Protection are been a protective environment that embraces all areas of social life – where laws, services, behaviours and practices minimize children’s susceptibility to risk as well as strengthen their own spirit.

There are 472 million children in India under the age of 18 years, representing 39% of the country’s total population. Hence it is our top priority to safeguard the rights of the children.

Protective Environment for the children:

After the declaration of Convention of Rights, the Government & NGOs like our association Volontariat are conducting public discussion of child protection issues. Basic health and education services have been available for our children – including those who are hardest to reach. In addition, social welfare services through the Government and our social workers are available at our schools and specialized facilities for children particularly at risk of or affected by violence, exploitation or abuse.

Social Change through Education:

Many forms of violence against children are tacitly or explicitly condoned by society – these include child marriage, child labour, corporal punishment and domestic violence. Effective child protection depends to a large extent on changing the mindsets of families and communities so that attitudes, beliefs and practices that harm children will no longer be tolerated. So several meetings and education campaign are been conducted yearly to discuss on the welfare of the children particularly for the girl child, for their parents.

By this social message, now we are able to see many well learnt graduates settled around the city.  For which the contribution or support of the family towards education plays an important role an Indian child.  This helps his /her to continue for their education until they attain their goal.  Partnering for greater impact

Child protection is been promoted by maximizing partnerships between Government and the private sector/ organizations. Through this partnerships, social responsibility for child protection goals are been encouraged. In Partnership with the renowned association like La Voix de l’ Enfant, which has generated greater investment in sectors that are responsible for child protection. Through the Programme Schools, Lights & Rights, Volontariat was able to register 300 birth certificates for the children living in backward villages during the academic year 2017-18.  Likewise on behalf of association ENGIE individual solar lamps were provided for the children living in villages where there is no proper and regular supply of electricity.  Also the children of our residential care centres like Souriya Boys Home and Nila Illam destitute children home were benefitted with solar water heaters and solar lights.  By partnering with different sectors we are able to accomplish the needs of the children and so they are been well protected at our residential homes.

Through the aid by La Voix de l’Enfant, this year we are been renovating dormitory at our site to provide a better spacious place and security for the children.  Also we have been signed for the registration of 300 identities, which is still on progress. Meanwhile we are been working on child rights conducting meetings, rallies etc.

Major Accomplishments in the File of Child Protection by the Government of India:

• POCSO (The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act 2012 was enacted to protect the children against offences like sexual abuse, sexual harassment and pornography.
• Free Noon meals are provided to children attending the public schools, thereby children from very poor socio-economic backgrounds are attracted towards the schools, and thereby schools drop-outs are reduced.
• Free transportation facilities to the children to reach their schools are a milestone in bringing the children to the study centres and are an important aspect in protecting the basic right of the child to education.
• Strict implementations of Child Labour Protection laws have curtailed the employers to large extent in employing the children.
• The commissioning of the Child Welfare Committee, which is effectively functioning under the Social Welfare Department of each state governments have ensured the space to address child protection issues and to avail child welfare remedies.
• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015has been passed by Parliament of India amidst intense controversy, debate and protest on many of its provisions by Child Rights fraternity. It replaced the Indian juvenile delinquency law, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, and allows for juveniles in conflict with Law in the age group of 16–18, involved in Heinous Offences, to be tried as adults.
• To streamline adoption procedures for orphan, abandoned and surrendered children, the existing Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) has been given the status of a statutory body to enable it to perform its function more effectively.

Major Accomplishments in the File of Child Protection by our organisation VOLONTARIAT:

• Volontariat has been aiding children form socio-economic poverty to overcome from their disadvantaged situations. Over the years we have helped more than 30000 children complete their school education and during the past 10 to 15 years many were enabled to complete their higher studies (university education). Volontariat is indulged in the field of education and poverty alleviation for more than 50 years. Many have come to good position in the society and Volontariat is proud to say that we were instrumental for this achievement.
• Volontariat’s health care programme has assured proper health care to the children who were taken care by us. More than 20 children’s lives were saved due to our financial support for them undergo cardiac surgeries.
• Through educational care we shape our children in values and responsibilities to establish a better society in the future. In fact our service brings a future society.
• We are the forerunners in defending the rights of the children and in this connection we have initiated THREE Residential care Programmes:

Residential care:

Children in danger or at risk even from their own families or kith and kin were taken in the fold of our residential care programmes. When their own families could not give a conducive atmosphere for the normal growth of the children, but on contrary if such living conditions might affect or could influence the mental health of a child, then it is preferred to take them out of such environment. There were many such instances wherein Volontariat have rescued the children and have taken care of them in our residential care homes. In this regard we have a home for homeless and destitute boys called Souriya Boys Home, in which 35 boys are staying at present. Similarly we have Nila Illam Home for Destitute Boys and Girls separately, which altogether accommodates 60 children, in a safe environment.

CHALLENGES

Violence & Child Abuse:

The true extent of violence against children is impossible to measure because, so much of it happens in secret and is not reported. Most violence against children is carried out by the people known to the children and was supposed to be trusted, such as parents, step-parents, close relatives and family friends.  Often children who face such violence or witness it remain silent out of fear, and many children accept violence as an inevitable part of life. The consequences of violence are manifold. Many victims experience physical and mental health problems later in life, which can lead to death and disability.

Sexual abuse and sexual exploitation has proved to be a major challenge. Child Abuse is a dark reality that is highly prevalent in India and adversely impacts the health and wellbeing of children.  According to the study more than 69% of children aged 5 to 18 years old are victims of abuse. The lack of proper family support, family and personal history of mental health pathologies, and family exposures to sexual images were some of the other potential risk factors.

There is an India specific issue which is related to this issue, is our tradition through religion. Female children are treated inferior to male, which paves the way to sexual harassment. Sex is related with the sanctity of the female gender and hence in order to safeguard this, majority of the crimes against the girls or women are covered and hidden.

Child labour

In the last years, India has put efforts in programs to fight against child labour. Major factors which contribute to this problem were the lack of food, high poverty, as well as social and economic circumstances. Other contributing factors include the lack of awareness about the harmful effects of child labour, as well as the lack of access to basic and meaningful quality education and skills training.

A recent analysis of census data in the country shows an overall decrease in child labour of only 2.2 percent yearly, over the last 10 years. But the incidence of child labour has increased dramatically in urban areas.Children under 14 often work full days in hacking cobbles stones, stitching shoes and footballs, rolling cigarettes and incense sticks, embroidery work on clothing, crafts, packing, and sticking labels. Child labour is often the result of adult unemployment or low parental wages forcing children to contribute to home production.

Children forced in labour rather than education is not given the opportunity to develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, and psychologically. India has one of the youngest populations in the world, yet more than 42.7 million children are out of school.