Children constitute over a third of India’s population of a 1.21 billion and yet they are only perceived as the ‘future generation’ of economically contributing adults and not as citizens of today. Children’s issues remain largely invisible and de-prioritized as they do not constitute the vote bank; they do not figure in electoral outcomes – an issue such as inflation could make or break a government but the fact that every second child in the country is malnourished.
Recent Developments Children in A Digital World UNICEF has released 2017 edition of its flagship publication “The State of the World’s Children’s Report”. Themed “Children in a digital world”, the latest report provides country-level examples to give a sense of the kinds of barriers- girls and women confront. Some of the key findings of the report are-
Factors Responsible for Digital Gender Divide: The report says the digital gender divide is caused by a number of factors — social norms, education levels, lack of technical literacy and lack of confidence among them — but is often rooted in parents’ concern for the safety of their daughters. At present, according to UN report:
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i. National Policy for Children (1974):National Policy for Children, 1974 was the first child welfare policy formed by the Government of India. According to it the State has to provide adequate services to children, both before and after birth and through the period of growth, to ensure their full physical, mental and social development.
ii. National Policy for Children (2013): The National Policy for Children, 2013 is the second child welfare policy. It for the first time defines a child is any person below the age of 18 years and states that childhood is an integral part of life with a value of its own and it requires a long term, sustainable, multi-sectoral, integrated and inclusive approach for their overall and harmonious development and protection. It dictates that
SAKSHAM – Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Boys
This scheme is implemented by Ministry of Women and Child Development with objectives:
Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 passed by the Two House on 06th August, 2018. This Act provides for further amendment to the Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. Key Highlights
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Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)
Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF)
National Deworming Day (NDD)
Kilkari
M-Cessation
National e-Health Authority (NeHA)
Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) Programme
Peer Education Programme
Integrated Child Protection Scheme
Introduction of New Vaccines
POCSO Act 2012 The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 is a gender-neutral legislation. It defines a child as any individual below 18 years and provides protection to all children from sexual abuse. Definition of child sexual abuse is comprehensive and encompasses the following:
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More than 200 million children worldwide are still working as child labourers and a staggering 115 million at least and are subject to its worst forms.
Sustainable Development Goals and Child Labour Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
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Definition of Child Labour
National Child Labour Project (NCLP)
Constitutional Provisions for Children’s Rights
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Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016
Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act (2009)
Other Laws related to Children