Children representatives from 22 slums of Berhampur came together on Thursday to form first ever Children’s Federation in the city.
More than 150 children from these slums took part in the function organised on the premises of Ganajm Kala Parishad for the formation of the Children’s Federation.
These children were members of 22 child clubs already active in these slums. A city-based youth organisation named Youth for Social Development (YSD), working in slums of the city, had promoted formation of these child clubs to increase participation of children in the social development process. The YSD is also a catalyst in formation of the Children’s Federation. During the function, the children representatives tried to highlight the issues and problems faced by them through small skits and plays. Eight of them were enacted. The themes included issues related to pollution of soil, water and air, problems of traffic and public transport, need of public space for children, issues related to sanitation like garbage disposal, sewerage and availability of toilets.
A play related to fear of eviction among the minds of families living in slums drew much attention. Several families living in slums of the city are opposing the proposed Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) project due to false fear that they may get evicted from their dwelling place in the name of this project.
Through the play the children depicted that the fear had no basis.
Bibhu Prasad Sahu of YSD said they would try to promote participation of children in the social development and creation of safe and healthy environment for them through activities of this children’s federation. In the past members of child clubs in 22 slums have met the authorities of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC), local MLA as well as leaders of different political parties regarding the issues related to their life. In all these 22 slums the child clubs are continuing to help in maintenance of sanitation. “We use singing, dancing, painting and acting as tools of activism for these children,” said Mr Sahu.
The aim of the newly formed Children’s Federation is to create awareness that Berhampur needs to become a child friendly city and increased involvement of children during formation of policies by local bodies which would affect their life.
This Children’s Federation would also provide scope of interaction among children from different areas of the city to make them strong enough to raise their voice against exploitation of children in any area.
