WHY CHILD RIGHTS?

                                                    Why Child Rights?

Is “Child rights”  a new term? Yah you are, right, it is a new term. Some of us may feel that why there is need of child rights, when there is always huge list of human rights. But before this question comes in our mind we need to know that there is a invisible section of children whose rights are ignored even when there is huge uproar in society related to human rights. This invisible section of children involves “ street children, drug-addicted children, sexually abused children, child labour , orphan children, beggary among children, trafficked children, children in conflict with law, missing children, unwanted children, children victims of child marriage etc. “ These are the children which common man may not be knowing about or may ignore , if it comes across any. These all children mentioned above are clearly in need of care and protection. The children who are part of the above mentioned section may be a result of many factors such as “neglected child, vested interests, unwanted birth, poverty, illiteracy, unawareness etc. “ 

In this situation, the care and protection of children becomes a responsibility of lawful guardians/parents, civil society and State. As in past few years government has also started understanding the importance and need of the rights of children, various laws have been passed in our country like India which are meeting the standards of UNCRC (United nation Convention on the rights of child). Some of these laws include Right of children to free and compulsory education Act, 2009, Protection of children against sexual offences Act, 2012, Child labour ( protection and regulations Act, 1986 , Juvenile Justice ( Care and protection of children )Act, 2000, The Prohibition of child marriage Act , 2006. There are different welfare schemes started by Govt. of India and State governments such as Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), 1975,Creche scheme for the children of working mothers 2006, Reproductive and child health programme, 1951, Pulse polio immunization programme, 1995, etc.

We can now say that we have quite lot schemes, laws for the protection of children. But still the situation of child is bad in our society. We all need to realize that it is not only the responsibility of government or parents for the care of children, but as a responsible citizen and part of the civil society we need to take initiative to take every possible step so that no child remains deprived of his/her right.  If we are really working on making this world a better place to live, we need to consider children’s care on priority basis. Today’s children are future of the world. If we will take care of the present situation and conditions of children, definitely we can achieve our aim. For this we need to make better policies, child friendly environment, need to sensitize ourselves towards children and their rights. Before we ask others to take any actions, let us start from ourselves. When each individual will start performing on the terms of taking care of children, this world will become a better place to live.