As one of the many signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Children in 1992, India made a commitment to work towards realising child rights for every Indian child. However, the nation has a long journey to achieve this dream. There is an urgent need to use aggressive corrective measures to address malnutrition, infant mortality, low school enrollment and other issues. These issues must be identified in all their complexity, so that civil society, governments, and individuals can ideate upon strategies to resolve them. Donate to charity to become a part of a movement that has united socially conscious corporations and citizens.
1. Survival rights

Survival rights define a child’s right to life, as well as essential needs. Along with the right to life (under Article 6), these include nutrition, shelter, living standards and medical services under Articles 23 and 24 of the UNCRC. Children with disabilities and special needs also deserve access to Medical care. Children also deserve access to nutrition, protection from harmful habits (including drugs) and safe working environments under the right to health.

2. Development rights

Under the ambit of development rights, a child’s development rights include a right to education

(Article 28) , play and leisure, access to cultural activities, information. Children also have the freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Development rights also include right to education, which is already a part of India’s policy framework. Access to the highest standards of education

(Article 29: Goals of Education) is a critical right, because it gives children discipline and life skills while also providing them a safe and healthy environment to nurture physiological development. This conducive environment can be realised through freedom from violence, abuse or neglect.

3. Protection rights

Protection rights are safeguards against abuse, neglect and exploitation, as well as care for refugee children, a child-friendly justice system, as well as rehabilitation for child victims of abuse. Those who have lost their families must receive care from those who respect their ethnic group, religion, culture and language. They must be offered protection from ill-treatment, and sexual or physical violence. Children also must not be sold, or pushed into prostitution and pornography, armed conflict, and participation in armed struggle. Instead of working in difficult or dangerous conditions, children must be afforded education and play. In case of juvenile crime, children must not be given death or life sentences, as well as sentences with adult prisoners.

4. Participation rights

Rights like Article 12 (Respect for the views of the child) include the ability to express opinions and speak on matters affecting their own lives. Children must also be free to join associations and assemble peacefully. Upon maturity, children must also participate in society, expressing their opinion freely without fear of contempt and have their voices heard when adults are deciding on their behalf.

Conclusion

Leading child rights NGO Save The Children fights for these child rights through a strategy of 3Ps: Prevention, Protection, and Prosecution. Support an NGO like Save the Children to give every child a future that he deserves. You can donate money, or time for volunteer-driven activities across India. The NGO has achieved lasting change through programs in Child Education, Health & Nutrition, Child Protection, Humanitarian Response.The NGOs leverages foundation of credible change to work with the government, National and International bodies to attempt to resolve the issues of today,

This issue also belongs to the public, who often silently witness child rights violation in their lives. Instead of ignoring it, they must join the change. Donate online to NGO to make a difference.