Issues Faced by Underprivileged Children in India

11/03/18

Child Protection

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The Challenges Faced by Underprivileged Children in India

India, despite being one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, continues to struggle with the problems faced by underprivileged children. Millions of underprivileged children in India face severe hardships such as malnutrition, lack of education, child labour, and abuse, primarily due to poverty and socio-economic disparities. India is the seventh largest country in the world and boasts of being a rapidly growing economy, yet its underprivileged children still have to experience some of the worst living conditions on the globe.

What are the problems faced by underprivileged children in India

Malnutrition

The Indian economy has seen a steep rise over the past few years, however, it is home to millions of malnourished children. Despite making numerous efforts and spending a lot of money on child welfare, India is still ranked among the worst-affected countries when it comes to child malnutrition. Indians prefer taking a carbohydrate-rich diet, which usually causes protein deficiency and leads to malnutrition among kids.

Stunted growth

The National Family Health Survey estimates that more than 61 million Indian children suffer from stunted growth. Apart from hunger and starvation, there are other factors that contribute to the issue, like poor maternal health and lack of sanitation. The government has been working with various NGOs and social organisations to spread awareness regarding the same and encourage people to lay emphasis on cleanliness and a well-balanced diet.

Child Labour

Even after many social reforms and laws, child labour continues to flourish in the most backward villages of the country. People from underprivileged sections of the society force their children to work hard and earn money. It’s also seen as the only mode of survival homeless children who live on the streets. Innocent children are forced to work in long shifts and are rarely given any time to relax. They are also mentally and physically abused by their employers, which leaves a deep impact on their sense of self-worth.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea kills hundreds of children across the country every year. Apart from poor access to nutritious food and clean water, it is also caused by poor hygiene. Diarrhoea leads to mineral depletion and causes loss of appetite, which leads to malnutrition and stunted growth in children.

Read Also: Educating Underprivileged Children in India

Conclusion

There’s no doubt about that fact that the rescue of India’s at-risk children is a difficult talk, however, the civil society has been taking strong steps to help them come out of their lives of misery. Well-designed campaigns by reputed NGOs like Bal Raksha Bharat have helped thousands of Indian children. You can also support an NGO by donating a part of your earnings on a monthly basis. This gives you a feeling of happiness and saves you a lot of tax.

Gaurav Sharma

Content Reviewer

“I am an editor and technical specialist at Bal Raksha Bharat, responsible for publishing articles and posts. My role involves evaluating content for consistency, and ensuring a positive user experience across the website."