Role of Awareness in Promoting Basic Rights of Children

07/07/24

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The awareness of basic child rights is crucial  in India since it has  the largest child population in the world. It is heartening to note that positive change has been initiated in India in advocating for child rights comthe right of children to have a suitable family,mitted to ensuring that child is denied a safe, healthy, and caring environment. These  basic rights include right to health , education protection from exploitation   and are  mission-critical to  India’s inclusive journey towards prosperity and growth.

Role of policymaking

India, a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, has passed various acts in its legislation underlining its emphasis on basic child rights in India. The Right to Education Act, of 2009 ensures that free and compulsory education should be provided to every child between  the age group of six to 14 years. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 is another legislation that aims at the prevention of children from sexual offences. Also, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, of 2015, safeguards the care and protection of children in need.

Role of government programmes in strengthening awareness and advocacy

The Indian government has implemented various policies and programmes to protect child rights and well-being. Among the various campaigns launched, one of the most popular is Beti Bachao Beti Padhao which translates to Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child. This initiative was started in 2015 and aims to improve the child sex ratio and to educate and empower the girl child. The campaign creates awareness  on gender discrimination and the need to educate girls hence an increased enrolment of girls in schools across India.

The Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) was launched in 2018 to reduce the malnutrition rates among children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. The campaign targets the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, which deals with malnutrition, stunting, and anaemia. Because of programmes such as community mobilisation and awareness campaigns, Poshan Abhiyaan has been instrumental in improving the health and nutrition levels of children.

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) has influenced cleanliness and hygiene for communities  in a positive way. The construction of toilets in schools and the promotion of hygiene practices have also helped reduce health risks associated with poor sanitation, while having  increased school enrollment, especially for girls. This campaign reveals the necessity of a clean environment for children’s health and safety, which is a crucial factor for continuity of education

Working in partnership with local stakeholders

One of the critical components to consider in the success of advocacy and awareness campaigns is the participation of individuals in the community. These efforts involve local stakeholders, such as individuals, volunteers, and organisations at the grassroots level who drive the change process. Through parents, teachers, and child involvement, campaigns enhance the culture of ownership of child rights. Schools also play a central role in enhancing the awareness of child rights. Different activities are organised in school to teach children their rights and functions in society. They aim at promoting child rights, encouraging children to report cases of abuse & exploitation in school and creating a positive school culture.

The role of technology in advocacy

With the advancement of technology, social networks are today a significant voice for basic child rights. Social media advocacy, online sign-up tools, and informative clips have gathered millions of audiences to share child rights concerns. These digital initiatives have not only informed the public but also engaged them to take positive action. The application of technology can go even further in advancing the cause of advocacy. Enhancing digital awareness, developing safe websites for children, and using data analytics all help in strengthening awareness about communication campaigns.

The role of NGOs like Bal Raksha Bharat

Bal Raksha Bharat, also known as Save the Children India, promotes children’s Basic child rights in India through comprehensive awareness and advocacy campaigns. They focus on education, health, and child safety by running educational programs, health camps, and safety awareness initiatives. Their advocacy efforts include working with government stakeholders to influence policy changes, engaging local communities to ensure cultural sensitivity, and using media to highlight child rights issues. These combined efforts have significantly impacted millions of children’s lives across India, ensuring better access to education, healthcare, and protection from harm.

BRB Admin