This article has been written by MS. RITU DHINGRA, a 4th year student of DELHI METROPOLITAN EDUCATION, GGSIPU
ABSTRACT
Child Rights refers to those human rights which are very essential for all-round development of a child. These rights are fundamental rights which make their life meaningful. However, in today’s world all children do not enjoy their rights equally. Among all sections of people children are the most neglected, exploited and vulnerable to almost all forms of social evils. In the developing countries of the world problems relating to children like infanticide, child marriage, child trafficking, child labour, child prostitution, drug addicted children etc. are very severe. As a developing country India has also been struggling with similar problems. Efforts are being made by the government and several other agencies to protect and promote the rights of children. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the role of Non-Governmental Organizations in protection and promotion of child rights.
Key Words: child rights, Non-Governmental Organization, Malnutrition, Child abuse, Crime against children, protection, promotion, problems
INTRODUCTION
It is said that “the seeds of success in every nation on Earth are best planted in women and children”. Child Rights, in general terms, refers to those human rights which are very essential for all-round development of a child. These rights are fundamental rights which make their life meaningful. Right to health, right to food and nutrition, right to education, right to family life, right to recreation, right to an adequate standard of living, right to be protected from abuse and harm etc. are some of the rights enjoyed by the children. Chid Protection refers to protection of children from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 has clearly stated that the right to protection is a right of every child. However, in today’s world millions of children are not yet covered with any of the social protection mechanisms as a consequence of which they experience multiple vulnerabilities in their life.
Child rights violation is a very serious problem in today’s world. Although each and every human being is entitled to some basic rights and privileges but in our society all sections of people do not enjoy these rights equally and one such section is the children who are often neglected, exploited and deprived of their basic rights and privileges.
Children are the most valuable asset of any society. They are the future of a nation. Realising the plight of millions of children several NGOs have come into existence to work for the welfare of children as well as to provide them protection against hazards or risk to their life. Covering a wide range of issues concerning children such as child labour, child exploitation, child trafficking, child marriage etc. these organisations have been making substantial contributions towards protection of children’s rights.
Non-Governmental Organisations, popularly known as NGOs are voluntary and service-oriented organisations. They are organisations of people which work for the betterment of the society. They are the non-profit making organisations for which they are also called Non-Profit Organisations or NPOs. ‘No profit no loss’ is the main principle of such organisations. These organisations help the government in implementing any projects and programmes at the grass root level for the welfare of people. They are also known as the Third Sector of any society after the State and market being the first and the second sector respectively
Save the Children is one such NGO which has been working at the international level for many decades. Across the globe NGOs have been working to uplift the children, more particularly to the underprivileged children who live in exceptionally difficult situations. In India the contribution made by NGOs is tremendous towards the field of child rights. It is through the adoption of numerous policies, programmes and schemes NGOs have been trying to promote overall growth and progress of children all over the country
Different studies and reports have clearly depicted the picture of dismal condition of children in India. “As per the 2011 Census, India has 158.7 million children in the age group of 0-6 years, comprising about 16% of the total Indian population”. “It is estimated that around 40% of India’s children are vulnerable to or experiencing difficult circumstances like children without family support, children forced into labour, abused/trafficked children, children on the streets, vulnerable children, children affected by substance abuse, by armed conflict/civil unrest/ natural calamity, etc., as well as children, who due to circumstances have committed offences and come into conflict with law”.
In India, caste and class discrimination leads to marginalization of children. Again, social exclusion also affects parenting and child maltreatment. The Constitution of India and other governmental acts, laws, policies, programmes and schemes contain a number of provisions aiming at securing equal social status for children as well as protection of their basic rights. At the national level several NGOs have also been making efforts towards protection and promotion of child rights. However, in spite of such efforts millions of children in India even today are living a life of great distress without understanding the meaning of childhood. As a consequence of this, their childhood gets spoiled and dreams remain unfulfilled
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Review of related literature is a very crucial part of any research studies. In order to prepare the framework of the present research study a number of related books, journals, magazines, reports etc.
The book titled “Child Rights in India Law, Policy and Practice” written by Asha Bajpai (2017) provides better understanding of the concept of child rights and various issues relating to children. This volume has highlighted the major laws, policy initiatives and schemes of the Indian government as well as other important international laws enacted for the protection of child rights. A very significant aspect of the book is that it covers the strategies adopted by the NGOs for the protection and promotion of child rights.
Book titled “Child Rights in India Challenges and Social Action” written by Geeta Chopra (2015) is a comprehensive document on the rights of children. In the book the author has discussed about the status of children and many other issues relating to children in India. Considering children as one of the most vulnerable sections of the society the author has tried to highlight the plight of children in India.
In the book “Education, Child Labour and NGOs” the authors Prachi Shirur and Srinivas Shirur (2007) have dealt with the problem of child labour, its magnitude, causes, consequences and initiatives undertaken by the government as well as NGOs to tackle this problem.
- O. Agarwal (2007) in his book “Human Rights” discusses (in the fifth chapter) about the rights of vulnerable groups like children, women, migrant workers etc.
In the book “NGOs in the Human Right Movement” the author Kaushlendra Mishra (2008) has talked about the increasing role of NGOs in upholding people’s rights and focus on the aims, objectives and the role played by the NGOs in the human rights movement.
“NGOs in India: A Cross-Sectional Study” written by R. Sooryamoorthy and K.D. Gangrade (2006) discusses about the NGOs that work for the development of rural areas as well as of women and children. Further, in a separate chapter the authors have tried to discuss about the working of NGOs in the area of child care from a historical perspective.
“NGOs in North East India: A Kaleidoscopic Observation” edited by Seema S. Singha and Chimun Kr. Nath (2011) highlights the role of NGOs as the supporting agency of the government. The authors, in this book, have discussed about the significant role played by the NGOs in the protection of human rights throughout the world.
The article titled “The Role of NGOs in the Enforcement of Human Rights: An Overview” written by Vaibhab Goel and Manoj Kr. Tripathi (2010) is a very useful article to understand the prominent role played by the NGOs in the enforcement of human rights. According to the authors, NGOs, particularly human rights NGOs, have the greater responsibility of enforcing human rights both at the national and international arena.
THE POWER OF NGO’S
When the Government takes to solving an issue, many non-governmental organisations come forward to join hands with them. They are the bridge between the beneficiaries and the government. Many non-profit organisations in India have shown interest to improve the health of people. The role of NGOs in India is not restricted towards the development of certain people of society, it also ranges to cleanliness, sustenance, animal welfare, protection of biodiversity, etc. Some take the role of supporting children’s health and education, while some other NGOs take care of the health of the elderly or the development of expecting mothers and her child.
In India, there are various international NGOs trying to improve the lives of children. These non-profit organizations are working with government initiatives, regulations, and legislation to guarantee that all children have equal access to their rights and can have a happy and safe childhood and a bright future.
Good nutrition helps us survive and thrive. Well-nourished children, grow, learn, develop, play, participate and become healthy adults giving birth to a healthy next-generation. Malnutrition takes away the best of their capabilities, leaving them frail and with no energy due to underlying deficiencies. To bring them out of malnourishment, the Governments of various countries made several provisions for the betterment of the health of individuals at different stages of life.
It is to be noted that there are four main characteristics of any NGOs. These are:
- Voluntary in nature
- Independence from government and donors
- Non-Profit Organisation
- Public interest organisation
Following is the best NGOs working for child welfare:
- Save Daughters Foundation
For almost 20 years, Save Daughters Foundation has provided education, nutrition, health, and protection services to children. Save Daughters Foundation has been systematically carrying out educational initiatives for youngsters with existing resources since the pandemic entered Indian shores in 2020. They work with children who have experienced any type of childhood abuse or poverty using an empathy-based strategy.
- Save the Children India
It is a leading non-profit organization that is independent. In 1919, the organization was founded. They work in 19 Indian states and have a global presence. Bal Raksha Bharat is the name given to it in India. To date, Save the Children has made a positive difference in the lives of almost 10 million children. It works to empower the most marginalised communities in both urban areas and its remotest corners. It provides quality education and healthcare, protection from harm and abuse and life-saving aid during emergencies to children. It also engages with the government to drive policy change in the interests of children. The NGO also works to improve the situation of children in more than 80 countries.
- World Vision India
World Vision is a renowned humanitarian organization that focuses on children. They provide assistance to any child in need, regardless of religion, color, ethnicity, or gender, exhibiting God’s unconditional love for all people. They are committed to improving the lives of India’s most disadvantaged children.
- Salaam Baalak Trust
This NGO is dedicated to providing an environment where all children are educated, healthy, protected and valued. Their programmes focus on ensuring access to nutrition, healthcare, water and sanitation, quality education and livelihood for the sustained well-being of children by building communities that are safe and fit for vulnerable minors. It is the largest grassroots child-focused organisation with more than 2,000 dedicated staff working in over 6,252 communities and touching the lives of a little over 26,00,000 children and their families.
- Delhi Council for Child Welfare
Established in 1952, DCCW originally started to care for children who were displaced, lost or abandoned in the riots surrounding the Partition of India. Over the decades, their programmes have diversified to cover medical services, nutrition, vocational training, adoption, and rehabilitation of physically and mentally challenged children through the provision of daycare and non-formal education. Today, their services reach about 2500 children daily and are provided virtually free of cost to them.
These are also some other well-known NGOs working for welfare of childrens: Pratham Education Foundation, Trident Foundation, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Child Rights and You (CRY), Snehalaya, Genesis Foundation, K C Mahindra Education Trust (Nanhi Kali), Smile Foundation, Katha, Teach for India, Child Help Foundation etc.
These organizations work towards ensuring the rights and well-being of children in India through various programs and initiatives
Conclusion
The problem of child rights violation is a worldwide and multidimensional problem with serious socio-economic and psychological ramifications. Despite the concerted efforts of the governments and other agencies at the national and international level to protect children’s rights the problem of child rights violation still exists in the present-day world.
The NGOs are indefatigably operating for the protection of women and children who are pushed into child labour, youngsters facing abuse within the community, child trafficking, women and children suffering from a disaster or emergency situation. It rescues the women and children facing numerous forms of harms abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence and physical abuse. Execution of programmes in India’s remotest places, the NGOs are driven by the premise of guaranteeing happy and safe childhoods for all women and children. Towards this goal, the partners with civil society organizations, child-led initiatives, governments and alternative key stakeholders.
Save the Children’s campaigns have reduced mortality, chronic deficiency disease, child trafficking, and has hyperbolic access to education. These are a part of a holistic approach to engage governments, civil society and community. of these initiatives need significant investment and infrastructure around the clock and there’s always a cause the NGO’s is indefatigably operating for.
References
This article was originally written by Ms.Pranali P Ganachari. The link for the same is here https://www.legalserviceindia.com/legal/article-5353-the-role-of-ngo-s-in-safeguarding-women-and-children.html#:~:text=The%20NGO’s%20are%20indefatigably%20operating,a%20disaster%20or%20emergency%20situation
This article was originally written by Devaraj Dutta. The link for the same is here https://www.ijrte.org/wp-content/uploads/papers/v8i6/F7638038620.pdf
This article was originally written by samar hafeez on 12 June 2021. The link for the same is here https://give.do/blog/5-ngos-striving-to-restore-child-rights-in-india/