Activists emphasised on the need to strengthen the relationship between a family and a child, which was basic to protection of rights of the latter.
In an interaction programme on child rights here on Thursday, Executive Director of Child Rights Trust Vasudeva Sharma said it was from the family members that the child learns about human values regarding his or her responsibility towards society and nation. The UN Charter on Rights of Child emphasises the need of children to be brought up in a good family setup.
Mr. Sharma said a government or an institution cannot substitute a family. The government can provide facilities needed to run the family in the right way.
Activist Vidya Dinker said unfortunately there has been lot of moral policing on children in the house that has made it difficult for them to decide between right and wrong.
“We are not giving them skills necessary to lead life and take decisions,” she said and added that even at age of three a child can be made to understand in their own way about sex and other issues.
Father Edward, member of Karnataka Commission for Protection of Child Rights, also spoke. Sonikutty George, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF, moderated the discussion.
