Safeguarding the Future: Child Rights and Legal Protections
Safeguarding the Future: Child Rights and Legal Protections. Thus, in India, children’s rights are ensured under several laws and policies conforming to international practices like the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Thus, they can be categorized into four broad categories:
1. Right to Survival
- Right to life: The right of each child to survive and grow.
- Right to nutrition: Access to balanced food and nutritional care.
- Right to health care: Free or low-cost hospitals, vaccinations, and maternal hospitalization.
- Moreover, the right to safe drinking water and sanitation ensures a healthy environment for children.
2. Right to Protection
- Protection from child labor (Forbidden according to the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986).
- In addition, the prevention of child abuse and exploitation is ensured under The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012).
- Furthermore, the prevention of child trafficking and bonded labor is addressed through Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
- Similarly, the prevention of early marriage is enforced by the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
3. Right to Development
- Right to education: Compulsory and free education for children between 6-14 years of age under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
- Additionally, children have the right to leisure and recreation.
- Moreover, they are entitled to the right to a decent home and family environment.
- Finally, the right to identity ensures that every child has a name and nationality.
4. Right to Participation
- Right to freely express their opinions on issues concerning them.
- Furthermore, they have the right to voice their opinions in judicial and administrative proceedings.
- In addition, children are granted the right to freedom of association (to associate and engage in activities).
- Lastly, they have the right to information regarding their rights and welfare.
Legal Safeguards for Child Rights in India
1. Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 – Provides care, protection, and rehabilitation of children in conflict with law.
2. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 – Ensures education as a basic right.
3. The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 – Prohibits work of children under 14 years in hazardous industries.
4. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 – Offers legal protection against sexual abuse.
5. Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 – Forbids child marriage and makes it void.
Challenges in Ensuring Child Rights
– Child labor and exploitation continue to be widespread despite legal prohibitions.
– Malnutrition and poor healthcare afflict millions of children.
– High school dropout rates, particularly among girls and marginalized groups.
– Child abuse and trafficking continue to happen in most regions of the country.
Government and NGOs Role
– Government Schemes: Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, etc.
– NGOs such as CRY (Child Rights and You), Save the Children, and Bachpan Bachao Andolan engage in child protection and education.
Protecting child rights in India demands firm legal enforcement, awareness, and community involvement to create a safer and brighter future for children. Thus, Safeguarding the Future: Child Rights and Legal Protections.
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