'Child Rights in India' Presented by Mr. Nandeesh Y D at an International Conference. You can request for a copy of the presentation at ydnandeesh@gmail.com

1. A presentation by Mr. Nandeesh Y D, Junior Research Fellow, DOS in
social work, Karnatak University, Dharwad
Email Id: ydnandeesh@gmail.com

2. 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 life
 In India 440 million are children(40%)
 But status of the children in India is not well
 It is important to consider their rights and value their
dignity
 Constitutional provisions, laws, policies and
programmes addressing them.

3. ‘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.

4. Types of Rights(UNCRC):
Survival
Rights
Development
Rights
Protection
Rights
Participation
Rights

5. 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

6. Status of Children In India
 Over 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.

7. Contd..
 6.6 million children having a damaged brain from
iodine deficiency
 The 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Programmes/ Schemes related to
children:
 Integrated ChildDevelopment Services (ICDS), 1975
 Integrated programme for Street Children, 1993
 Pulse Polio Immunization Programme, 1995
 Midday Meal Scheme, 1995
 Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, 2001
 The National Rural Health Mission, 2005
 Creche Scheme for the children of working mothers,
2006

12. Child budgeting in India: An unfair
deal

13.  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)

14. Violence against children:

15.  In the year 2013 a jump of 138% of crime cases were
recorded.
Reasons???
 Decline in social control
 Child pornography
 Decline in moral and ethical values
 Decline in social responsibility

16. Children’s Rights Worldwide and in
India 2015

17. 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 values
 Effective implementation is the need of the hour.

18. 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.

19. 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, 2012
 Yojana(2012), A development monthly, Issues Concernging Children.
 Samajakaryada Hejjegalu (2012) , Social work - Foot Print.ISSN
No:2230 8830
 The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child © United Nations,
June 2010.
 UNICEF, (2006) Violence Against Children, United Nations Secretary
– General’s Study
 childlineindia.org.in/child-protection-child-rights-india.htm
 http://www.unicef.org/india/
 www.childrensrights