Exploring the Fundamental Rights Every Child Deserves

21/12/23

Child Protection

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Exploring the Fundamental Rights Every Child Deserves

Every child deserves a future filled with promise, hope, and opportunities. To pave the way for this, it is essential to recognize and uphold the basic child rights that every child deserves. These rights, enshrined in various international conventions and declarations, form the foundation for a just and equitable society where children can flourish. In this article, we will explore the fundamental child rights in India that every child should enjoy and emphasize the importance of collaboration between NGOs, government bodies, and civil society in securing these rights.

The Right to Education

Education is the key to unlocking a child’s potential and empowering them to shape their own destiny. Every child deserves the right to quality education, free from discrimination and barriers. Governments must ensure access to primary and secondary education for all – one of the basic child rights – while also addressing issues such as gender-based discrimination and cultural biases that may hinder certain groups from enjoying this right. NGOs play a crucial role in advocating for inclusive education policies, providing resources, and filling gaps where governmental efforts fall short.

The Right to Health

A healthy childhood is the cornerstone of a prosperous society. Every child deserves access to adequate healthcare, nutrition, and a safe environment. Governments must invest in healthcare infrastructure, preventive measures, and awareness campaigns to ensure the well-being of all children. NGOs often step in to bridge gaps in healthcare access, especially in marginalized communities, by providing medical services, nutritional support, and promoting health education.

The Right to Protection

Children are inherently vulnerable, and it is the collective responsibility of society to ensure their protection from exploitation, abuse, and violence. Governments must enact and enforce laws that safeguard children’s rights, while civil society and NGOs can work towards raising awareness, providing counselling services, and creating safe spaces for children in need. Collaborative efforts are crucial to addressing systemic issues and creating a protective environment for every child.

The Right to Play and Leisure

Play is not just a childhood pastime; it finds mention among basic child rights and is deeply linked to a child’s holistic development. Children deserve the right to engage in recreational activities, socialize, and explore their creativity. Governments should prioritize the development of public spaces and facilities that cater to children’s play, while NGOs can contribute by organizing recreational programs and advocating for the importance of play in a child’s life.

The Right to Identity

Every child has the right to a legal identity and nationality. Governments must ensure the registration of every child at birth and eliminate barriers that may prevent certain groups from obtaining legal documentation. NGOs play a crucial role in assisting marginalized communities in navigating bureaucratic processes and advocating for policies that promote inclusivity.

Securing the fundamental rights of every child requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society. NGOs, government bodies, and civil society must collaborate using an integrated approach to ensure that no child is left behind. This collaboration involves sharing resources, and expertise, and advocating for policies that prioritize children’s well-being. By working together, these stakeholders can address the complex and interconnected challenges that hinder the realization of children’s rights.

NGOs and Stakeholder Partnerships

NGOs are at the forefront of initiatives that support child rights in India. Partnering with government agencies, civil society organizations, and international bodies, NGOs can leverage collective strengths to implement effective programs. For example, NGOs may collaborate with government health departments to provide healthcare services in remote areas or work with educational institutions to enhance access to quality education. These partnerships amplify the impact of interventions and contribute to strengthening child rights in India.

Bal Raksha Bharat, India’s leading independent child rights organisation, was formally established in 2008. It has since then, placed children’s rights at the heart of its programmes, activities, and daily operations. The organisation strongly believes that children are citizens in their own right, deserving of all human rights.

This belief is reflected in their commitment to helping children exercise their rights, anchoring their programmes, advocacy, research, and every undertaking to ensure every child can exercise his/her rights. The primary goal of Bal Raksha Bharat is to amplify the voices of India’s children to garner widespread support. They address the root issues that hinder child rights in India, demonstrating that their child rights strategy can lead to enduring reform. The organisation recognises that many children in India are unable to access their basic rights. them.

The journey to securing fundamental rights for every child is a shared responsibility. NGOs, government bodies, and civil society must unite, combining their efforts and resources to create a nurturing environment where every child can thrive, as reflected in Bal Raksha Bharat’s multi-stakeholder work. This integrated approach is not only essential for addressing immediate challenges but also for building a foundation that ensures the well-being and prosperity of future generations. Together, through collaborative and coordinated efforts, we can create a world where every child’s rights are not just acknowledged on paper but realised in their everyday lives.

Soumi Halder

Manager-Program Campaign and Communication, Programme Support

“With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the social development sector, I am passionate about championing child rights and community empowerment through innovative communication strategies. I am Manager for Programme Campaigns and Communication with Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children)."